Why I Keep My Data in Europe
When you set up a new business in 2026, it feels almost automatic to reach for the big, global technology platforms. They’re easy to get started with, often free or cheap, and everyone else is using them. At Gjøby Consulting, I’ve chosen a different path.
A deliberate choice, not a protest
Let’s be clear: this isn’t about being principled for the sake of it, and it certainly isn’t about being anti-technology. I embrace technology wholeheartedly — but I’ve decided to ask one extra question before adopting any new tool: Where does the data go, and who controls it?
In 2026, that question matters more than ever. Geopolitical tensions are reshaping the rules around digital data. European legislation — GDPR and emerging data security frameworks — is setting increasingly clear requirements for how data must be handled. And many organisations are discovering too late that the platforms they depend on can suddenly change their terms, prices, or availability.
What does “digital sovereignty” mean in practice?
For Gjøby Consulting, it means prioritising solutions where:
• Data is stored and processed in Europe, under European law
• I retain control over my own data — not the platform providers
• I support European technology companies that build according to European values
Is it always the easy route? No. Sometimes it means doing a bit more research, or accepting a slightly simpler user interface. But I believe it’s worth it.
The tools I use
My digital toolkit is built entirely on European solutions:
|
Need |
Tool |
Origin |
|
Website, email, calendar and cloud storage |
🇨🇭Switzerland |
|
|
Video meetings |
🇳🇴 Norway |
|
|
Web browser |
🇳🇴 Norway |
|
|
Office suite |
🇱🇻 Latvia |
Infomaniak is a Swiss provider that runs its own data centres on renewable energy. Whereby is a Norwegian company offering video meetings without requiring app downloads or unnecessary data sharing. Vivaldi is a Norwegian browser built on open-source code, with a strong emphasis on privacy and user control. OnlyOffice is a Latvian office suite that offers full compatibility with standard document formats — without any dependence on American cloud platforms.
Why does this matter for an electric mobility consultancy?
I advise clients on electric mobility and smart energy solutions — fields where data is at the very core of the products and services involved. Charging infrastructure collects data. Smart grids collect data. Electric vehicles collect data. When I advise clients on these systems, I believe it’s important to practise what I preach: I take data control seriously in my own operations, too.
Credibility isn’t built through expertise alone. It’s built through consistent choices — day by day, tool by tool.
This is just the beginning
This is the first post in a series where I share the choices I make in building Gjøby Consulting on a solid, transparent, and values-driven foundation. Next up: social media — and which platforms I’m choosing not to use, and why.
Have thoughts on this? Feel free to share your thoughts below — or subscribe to the blog to follow the series.
