We at Fing haven't been involved directly, but we did interact with one of the report's authors.
First of all, it's just a report at the moment. The issue this report had to deal with is simple: Google, FB and other (mostly American) major internet players who live off advertising revenues, bill French firms to advertise towards French customers, and pay no taxes at all in France. Basically, the advertising industry is producing less and less taxable revenues, even though its overall revenues are rising. France is not alone in worrying about that, especially in Europe.
So what the report's two authors were looking for, was a source of economic (hence taxable) valuer that was clearly ascribable to one specific country. Since personal data are (pre-VRM) a major source of wealth for organizations who store them, why not make it the basis on which Google et al's taxable revenues are calculated? After all, most people live somewhere within national borders.
Now, I'm aware many of you may not loooove taxes, however they're sourced or computed. But here's the interesting part: The report suggests that the tax could be reduced if companies make specific and measurable efforts to allow individuals to access, control, port and use their own data.
So in effect, we're talking about a pro-VRM tax incentive.
I still need to read the full report, but this is the general idea.
Daniel