Project Overview:

As Global Cleantech Directory expands internationally, this project focuses on helping us ensure compliance with two critical areas that impact global digital platforms: data privacy laws and international tax regulations.

Students will conduct comparative legal research and practical analysis to ensure we meet the standards of data protection frameworks (like GDPR and PIPEDA) and understand taxation policies across key markets. This focused project enables real-world application of coursework in law, taxation, and international business policy.

Project Goals:

1. Research and summarize data protection laws applicable to our platform (GDPR, PIPEDA, etc.)
2. Identify key international taxation policies that affect digital services and cross-border invoicing (e.g., VAT, DST)
3. Provide compliance guidelines for handling international user data and transactions
4. Deliver clear, region-specific summaries that inform internal practices and investor communications
5. Recommend a checklist for legal onboarding of international clients
6. Propose a basic compliance audit framework for future internal review
7. Identify potential risks or penalties for non-compliance in key jurisdictions
8. Analyze how different regulatory requirements may impact user experience or platform features

Deliverables:

• Research summary comparing privacy laws in 3–5 key jurisdictions (e.g., Canada, EU, US, MENA)
• Chart of applicable international digital tax laws and thresholds
• Practical recommendations for platform-level compliance with privacy and tax policies
• Sample policy language for privacy notices, cookie consent, and data processing terms
• Checklist template for onboarding international clients in compliance with local laws
• Internal audit framework outline for periodic review of legal compliance
• Summary of legal risks and potential liabilities with suggested mitigation steps
• Final slide deck to present key findings and recommendations

Ideal Skills:

• Law or international business students (with interest in digital law or taxation)
• Research and legal writing
• Understanding of regulatory and policy frameworks
• Analytical thinking and attention to detail

Tools & Access:

• Platform overview and business model
• Existing terms, privacy notices, and CRM structure
• Public legal databases and regulatory sources
• Templates from similar SaaS or directory platforms (where available)

Why This Project Matters:

As a platform that serves cleantech businesses globally, compliance is essential to scaling responsibly. Students will gain applied knowledge of laws that directly impact international SaaS platforms and digital marketplaces. This experience will be valuable for any future career in business law, policy, or global tech regulation.