Why “Hosted in Europe” Isn’t Enough: The Case for True Digital Sovereignty in Video Recording & Streaming

In today’s digital-first world, organizations across Europe rely on video conferencing and streaming platforms for critical communications — from board meetings to court sessions, from academic lectures to healthcare consultations.

And while many services claim to offer “European hosting”, there’s a growing risk that often goes unspoken: your data may still be subject to foreign laws and jurisdictions, even when stored in EU data centers.

Let’s unpack why “hosted in Europe” isn’t the same as “controlled in Europe”, and why that distinction is essential if your organization values privacy, compliance, and digital independence.

? The Illusion of Safety: Hosted ? Controlled

Many mainstream platforms — including cloud video recording and conferencing services — offer EU-hosted data options. At first glance, that sounds like GDPR compliance and peace of mind. But there’s a catch.

If the provider is a US-based company (or a European subsidiary of one), your data is still likely subject to US laws like:

  • The CLOUD Act (2018) – Allows US authorities to compel US tech companies to hand over data, even if it’s stored overseas.
  • FISA Section 702 – Enables intelligence collection on non-US persons outside the US without a warrant.

In short: Even if your recordings never leave Europe, they may still be accessible to US agencies — with or without your knowledge.

The GDPR Conflict

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is designed to protect EU citizens’ data and privacy. But in light of U.S. surveillance laws, several EU bodies — including the European Data Protection Board (EDPB) — have raised alarms.

In fact, in the landmark Schrems II ruling, the EU Court of Justice invalidated the Privacy Shield framework precisely because it couldn’t protect EU data from US surveillance.

If your provider is legally bound to both GDPR and the CLOUD Act, whose laws do they follow?

What True Digital Sovereignty Looks Like

At REC.VC, we believe European organizations deserve more than vague reassurances. That’s why we provide:

? Hosting in Europe — Your video recordings and streams are stored on servers located in Europe.

? Control in Europe — REC.VC is operated and governed under Norwegian jurisdiction, fully independent from US Big Tech.

? Compliance-First Architecture — Built to meet GDPR, HIPAA, MiFID II, HITECH, and PIPEDA standards.

? No Vendor Lock-In — We work seamlessly with Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Google Meet, SIP/H.323 systems, and more — without forcing you into proprietary ecosystems.

For U.S. Organizations: Local Hosting, Global Trust

We also support organizations in North America with fully US-hosted instances, ensuring regional compliance with HIPAA, HITECH, and local regulations — while still offering the same high standards of privacy and control.

Why It Matters Now

In a hybrid world, video recordings are not just temporary communications — they’re long-lived digital records. From legal compliance to intellectual property protection, where and how your videos are stored has long-term implications.

Don’t just ask where your data is hosted — ask who controls it.

Take Back Control With REC.VC

Whether you’re a public sector agency, healthcare provider, financial institution, or multinational enterprise — REC.VC gives you a trusted, flexible, and compliant platform for video recording and streaming.

? Start your free 14-day trial today

Sources & References

August 6th, 2025 by