Data location, data residency and data sovereignty are often confused. Location is where data is physically stored. Residency is the requirement or preference to keep data, including backups, logs and test copies, inside a country. Sovereignty concerns which country’s laws apply and who can lawfully request access; even data stored in Turkey may be affected by the jurisdiction of the provider operating it.
Turkey’s KVKK makes cross-border transfers of personal data subject to conditions and safeguards; keeping data in Turkey simplifies this, but security measures and retention processes still apply, and legal advice is recommended. Watch for hidden data flows: backup services, logging and monitoring tools, vendor support access and third-party web tags. Before choosing a local cloud provider, ask about data center locations, who accesses the infrastructure and from where, key management, security certifications, incident notification, exit and deletion procedures and subcontractors. Good architecture starts with data classification, uses a hybrid model where sensible, encrypts everywhere and keeps logs in-country.
Talk to Racoun: we are based in Istanbul and work with brands across Türkiye. Message us on WhatsApp or email ekip@racoun.com.
