Navigating Compliance in a Connected World - GDPR, IoT Data Storage and Sovereignty

TagoIO team

We all have observed that, somehow, the rise of the Internet of Things (IoT) has brought enormous benefits to industries and consumers alike. However, we at TagoIO also know that it introduces complex data privacy, storage, and sovereignty challenges—issues central to the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and other data privacy regulations. As IoT devices collect personal data at unprecedented rates, GDPR compliance has become essential for protecting individual rights and fostering trust.

GDPR and IoT Data Storage

Under GDPR, companies must ensure that IoT-collected data is securely stored, encrypted, and accessible only to authorized personnel. Given that IoT devices gather extensive personal information, it is our experience when working with our customers that companies will benefit a lot by applying the GDPR’s data minimization principle by collecting only what’s necessary. Companies must also transparently inform users about what data is being collected, where it’s stored, and how it’s used. Additionally, users have the right to access, modify, or delete their data, which can be challenging given the vast, distributed nature of IoT storage systems. For businesses, ensuring the security of both device-level and cloud-based storage is vital to avoid non-compliance fines and protect user privacy.

Data Sovereignty and IoT

Data sovereignty—the idea that data is subject to the laws of the country where it’s physically stored—is a critical component of GDPR. This can be particularly challenging for IoT, as devices often transmit data across borders, complicating where and how it’s stored. GDPR mandates that personal data must remain within approved jurisdictions unless strict safeguards are in place. Access the complete guide to GDPR compliance. For IoT companies, this means, among other things, selecting data centers in compliant regions and carefully monitoring cross-border data flows to ensure adherence to sovereignty requirements.

Building GDPR-Compliant IoT Systems

Complying with GDPR in the IoT realm requires companies to prioritize secure, minimal, and transparent data handling while respecting the laws of jurisdictions where data is stored. By addressing both data storage and sovereignty, IoT companies can uphold user rights and trust in a globally connected world. This fosters responsible innovation and ensures that even as technology evolves, privacy remains protected.

Product’s Features that TagoIO Offers for Privacy Compliance 

TagoIO platform offers several features that help companies to comply with GDPR. For example, the new TagoDeploy allows developers to deploy a complete single instance in countries in Europe, such as Ireland, Germany, Switzerland, and other European countries. All data from the sensors and end-users will stay in the selected country. Another example is the option in our Security and Protection settings that can immediately delete all data associated with a user when they request ‘Delete my account.’  More information and tips about privacy and security can be found on our Security page, our community area, and our Trust page.

We all have observed that, somehow, the rise of the Internet of Things (IoT) has brought enormous benefits to industries and consumers alike. However, we at TagoIO also know that it introduces complex data privacy, storage, and sovereignty challenges—issues central to the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and other data privacy regulations. As IoT devices collect personal data at unprecedented rates, GDPR compliance has become essential for protecting individual rights and fostering trust.

GDPR and IoT Data Storage

Under GDPR, companies must ensure that IoT-collected data is securely stored, encrypted, and accessible only to authorized personnel. Given that IoT devices gather extensive personal information, it is our experience when working with our customers that companies will benefit a lot by applying the GDPR’s data minimization principle by collecting only what’s necessary. Companies must also transparently inform users about what data is being collected, where it’s stored, and how it’s used. Additionally, users have the right to access, modify, or delete their data, which can be challenging given the vast, distributed nature of IoT storage systems. For businesses, ensuring the security of both device-level and cloud-based storage is vital to avoid non-compliance fines and protect user privacy.

Data Sovereignty and IoT

Data sovereignty—the idea that data is subject to the laws of the country where it’s physically stored—is a critical component of GDPR. This can be particularly challenging for IoT, as devices often transmit data across borders, complicating where and how it’s stored. GDPR mandates that personal data must remain within approved jurisdictions unless strict safeguards are in place. Access the complete guide to GDPR compliance. For IoT companies, this means, among other things, selecting data centers in compliant regions and carefully monitoring cross-border data flows to ensure adherence to sovereignty requirements.

Building GDPR-Compliant IoT Systems

Complying with GDPR in the IoT realm requires companies to prioritize secure, minimal, and transparent data handling while respecting the laws of jurisdictions where data is stored. By addressing both data storage and sovereignty, IoT companies can uphold user rights and trust in a globally connected world. This fosters responsible innovation and ensures that even as technology evolves, privacy remains protected.

Product’s Features that TagoIO Offers for Privacy Compliance 

TagoIO platform offers several features that help companies to comply with GDPR. For example, the new TagoDeploy allows developers to deploy a complete single instance in countries in Europe, such as Ireland, Germany, Switzerland, and other European countries. All data from the sensors and end-users will stay in the selected country. Another example is the option in our Security and Protection settings that can immediately delete all data associated with a user when they request ‘Delete my account.’  More information and tips about privacy and security can be found on our Security page, our community area, and our Trust page.

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