Fastmail offers EU data region (fastmail.com)

Article summary

Fastmail, an Australian company, now offers the option to store user data in the European Union, in addition to the existing US-based storage. This change allows users to choose where their primary data is stored, with the EU option being hosted on Fastmail's own servers in Amsterdam. However, it's noted that this does not guarantee data will remain only in the EU, as some data is replicated across regions for backup and other purposes. The company emphasizes transparency in their data handling practices.

Main themes

• Data Storage Location
• EU Data Region
• Data Sovereignty
• Cloud Act
• Five Eyes Intelligence
• Data Privacy

What commenters say

• The location of data storage is crucial for users concerned about data privacy and sovereignty, especially considering the implications of the US Cloud Act.
• Some argue that storing data in the EU does not necessarily protect it from being accessed by US authorities due to international agreements and intelligence alliances.
• Others believe that having EU-based storage is a positive step towards data sovereignty, even if it's not a complete solution, and that companies should prioritize transparency in their data handling practices.
• The effectiveness of the EU data region option is questioned due to Fastmail being an Australian company, which may still be subject to US jurisdiction and pressure through agreements like the Cloud Act.
• There is a concern that no company can fully guarantee data privacy as long as they have any presence in or connection to countries with broad surveillance powers, such as the US or those in the Five Eyes alliance.
• Some commentators emphasize the importance of end-to-end encryption as a more reliable method for ensuring data privacy, regardless of where the data is stored.
• The discussion highlights the complexity of international data laws and the challenges companies face in balancing user privacy concerns with legal obligations across different jurisdictions.