Definition
Data residency is the physical location where data is stored and processed. For HR data this matters because legal jurisdiction follows the location, and access by foreign authorities can vary.
Security & Tech
Data Residency
Data residency describes the geographic location where personal data is stored and processed. For UK and Irish employers under UK GDPR and EU GDPR, where vendor data sits has a direct impact on compliance complexity.
UK, EU and US Compared
UK and EU hosting fall under UK GDPR or EU GDPR with comparable protections post-adequacy decision. US hosting falls under the US CLOUD Act, allowing US authorities to compel disclosure regardless of EU/UK location. For sensitive employee data, EU/UK residency is structurally cleaner.
teamly's Position
teamly hosts exclusively in Germany (primarily Falkenstein, with a secondary location in Frankfurt am Main). No sub-processors outside the EU. Standard DPA without Standard Contractual Clauses (SCC) required for EU/UK clients.
Related terms
More definitions from the teamly knowledge hub.
Compliance & LawUK GDPRThe UK GDPR is the UK's post-Brexit version of the EU General Data Protection Regulation. It applies alongside the Data Protection Act 2018 and is enforced by the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO).Compliance & LawEU GDPRThe EU General Data Protection Regulation (Regulation 2016/679) has been in force since 25 May 2018. It applies across the EU and to companies processing personal data of EU data subjects, including Irish employers.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about Data Residency
What HR leads, IT managers and compliance officers ask most often.
Is UK hosting required for UK employers?
No. The EU/UK adequacy decision means EU hosting (e.g. Germany) is also fully usable for UK employers without additional safeguards.
What is the issue with US-hosted vendors?
US CLOUD Act, SCC, TIA, supplementary technical measures, ongoing risk reviews. All possible but adds compliance overhead. EU/UK hosting removes these.
Considering an employee app?
teamly is the European employee app for mid-market companies. Go-live in 3 to 6 months, your own branded app, UK and EU GDPR compliant.