Forum Discussion
Gmail Privacy - Does Gmail (Google) have servers in Canada?
As per Telus "Your data is stored in Google's network of geographically distributed data centers." Does Gmail store email on servers in Canada? I am aware Microsoft has data centers in Canada and w...
FuzzyLogic
Community Power User
Community Power UserGoogle doesn't publicize server locations for security reasons. Based on this site I get the impression there is that option:
https://www.hostedincanada.com/g-suite-signup-canada/
FWIW I would have preferred Microsoft as well but we don't get to choose:-(
I missed this informative Google site: https://www.google.com/about/datacenters/locations/
Google is clearer about the datacenter locations that Microsoft. I believe Outlook.com and Outlook.Office365.com now share the same infrastructure.
I haven't been able to find a detailed Privacy Impact Statement / Assesment for the Telus migration to Gmail.
- Nighthawk
Google does have a data centre in Montreal and one in the works for Toronto. They're part of the Google Cloud platform. They do not say whether or not they store Gmail data there.
I'm not sure if I'd have preferred Microsoft. They tend to be just as invasive as Google is but they are much quieter about what they do with the data. I went with my own email server instead that's hosted in Montreal.
You are correct, Microsoft is on par with Google for privacy. My example was a choice between two dominant providers, primarily based on where the data would reside when not in transit. I hosted my own email server for many years and got tired of maintaining and patching it. I have often mulled over going back to my own server. Good to hear from someone hosts their own.
- Nighthawk
I'm actually using shared hosting package for my email / websites so I don't need to patch the server at all. Makes it easy but you don't have quite the same level of control as you would on dedicated or co-located hosting.
