New Data Portability Laws Could End Vendor Lock-In for Good

Jan de Vries · 2026-10-30

Imagine you've built your business on a cloud platform. You've stored years of customer data, critical documents, and proprietary code. Then one day, you decide to switch providers—only to find that getting your data out is nearly impossible. That's vendor lock-in, and it's a growing problem for businesses of all sizes. Ed Accura, a tech entrepreneur and advocate, is urging UK lawmakers to tackle this issue head-on. He wants new laws that guarantee enforceable data portability rights, covering both cloud and on-premises storage. In simple terms: you should be able to take your data with you when you leave a provider, without jumping through hoops or paying exorbitant fees. ### Why Vendor Lock-In Is a Real Headache Vendor lock-in happens when a company becomes so dependent on a vendor's services that switching becomes impractical or too costly. It's not just about data—it's about the tools and workflows built around that data. For example, if you're using a proprietary database, moving to another system might require rewriting entire applications. That's time and money you'd rather spend growing your business. Accura points out that current regulations don't go far enough. The UK's data protection laws focus on privacy, not portability. And while the EU's GDPR includes a right to data portability, it's limited to personal data and doesn't cover business data or the broader cloud infrastructure. Accura argues that businesses need similar protections—and they need them to be enforceable. ### What Would Enforceable Data Portability Look Like? Accura's proposal isn't about micromanaging how companies store data. It's about setting clear rules so that when a business wants to switch providers, they can do so without artificial barriers. Here's what that could include: - **Standardized export formats:** Providers must offer data in a common, machine-readable format. - **Reasonable timelines:** Data must be transferred within a set period, not weeks or months. - **No punitive fees:** Providers can't charge extra for data export. - **Coverage of all data:** Both personal and business data, whether stored in the cloud or on-premises. > "Businesses shouldn't be held hostage by their data. It's time for laws that put control back in the hands of the companies that created that data in the first place." – Ed Accura ### The Impact on Startups and SMEs For startups and small to medium-sized enterprises, vendor lock-in can be especially crippling. They often lack the legal and technical resources to negotiate favorable exit terms. A law like this would level the playing field, giving smaller players the freedom to choose the best tools without fear of being trapped. It could also boost competition and innovation. If switching costs are low, providers have to work harder to keep customers. That means better services, more competitive pricing, and a healthier tech ecosystem overall. ### What's Next? Accura is calling on UK lawmakers to act. He suggests that the UK could lead the way with robust data portability laws, setting a global standard. Whether the government will take up the cause remains to be seen, but the conversation is gaining momentum. In the meantime, businesses can protect themselves by negotiating exit clauses in contracts and choosing providers that support open standards. But ultimately, systemic change requires legislation—and that's what Accura is pushing for. One thing's for sure: as more companies rely on cloud services, the need for data portability will only grow. And if the UK steps up, it could spark a wave of similar laws elsewhere. That's a future where businesses truly own their data—and that's a future worth fighting for.