Fastmail offers EU data region
Fastmail has launched a new data region in Amsterdam, giving users the choice to store their primary email data within the EU. This move directly addresses user demand for data sovereignty and compliance, reflecting Fastmail's long-standing commitment to privacy and self-managed infrastructure. The company provides a remarkably transparent breakdown of how data is distributed and replicated, allowing users to make informed decisions about their data's physical location.
The Lowdown
Fastmail has announced the availability of a new European Union data region, based in Amsterdam, to serve as a primary storage location for user data. This initiative responds to user requests regarding local law compliance, data residency, and keeping data geographically closer, offering an alternative to their existing US-based infrastructure.
- Self-Hosted Infrastructure: Unlike many providers, Fastmail has built and operates its own servers in Amsterdam, co-located in a secure facility, replicating the high standards of its US operations without relying on major cloud providers.
- User Choice: Users can now select either the EU or US as their primary data region, influencing where the main copy of their mail and files resides.
- EU Region Details: For EU-selected accounts, primary data lives in Amsterdam, incoming mail prefers EU servers, and Fastmail apps connect directly to EU infrastructure. However, resilient replicas of this data are currently maintained in US locations.
- US Region Details: For US-selected accounts, both primary and replica data copies are in Philadelphia or St. Louis, with incoming mail and app connections favoring US servers.
- Global Data Handling: Certain data components, such as emergency backups (currently all in Philadelphia), some user/customer metadata, logs (all in the US), and linked third-party services, are either globally replicated or stored in specific US locations regardless of the primary region choice.
- Transparency on Limitations: Fastmail explicitly states that it cannot guarantee data remains only within the EU due to its global replication strategy and the Australian company's subjection to Australian law, including legal-cooperation treaties.
- Migration Process: Users with EU billing addresses were pre-selected for an EU region assignment, but all users can change their region through account settings, with the system managing the data transfer process while maintaining service availability.
This significant investment in expanding their infrastructure aims to empower users with greater control over their data's residency. Fastmail emphasizes its transparent approach, providing users with comprehensive details about its data architecture to facilitate informed decision-making without imposing additional charges for regional choice.