Your Data Stays in Europe
We built Wiggly Tails in the EU, host it in the EU, and follow the strictest privacy laws in the world. Here's what that means for you.
What βEU Built & Hostedβ Means
Servers in Frankfurt, Germany
Every piece of data β your profile, adoption applications, dog photos, rescue information β is stored on servers physically located in Frankfurt, Germany. Your data never leaves EU soil.
Developed in Europe
Wiggly Tails is designed, coded, and maintained by a European team. We don't outsource development to regions with weaker privacy laws. The people who build the platform are subject to the same laws that protect your data.
No US Cloud Act Exposure
Many platforms use US-based cloud providers subject to the US CLOUD Act, which allows American authorities to access data regardless of where it's stored. Our EU-based infrastructure avoids this entirely.
EU Service Providers Only
Our database (Supabase EU), hosting, and email services all operate under EU jurisdiction. We carefully select providers that guarantee data residency within the European Union.
What is GDPR?
The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is the world's strongest privacy law, enforced across the entire European Union since May 2018. It gives individuals unprecedented control over their personal data and holds organisations to strict accountability standards.
Unlike privacy laws in other regions, GDPR is not optional β it carries fines of up to 4% of global revenue or β¬20 million for violations. This means every company operating in the EU has a real financial incentive to protect your data properly.
What This Means for Adopters
When you use Wiggly Tails to find or adopt a dog, here's how EU law protects you:
Your Data Is Never Sold
We will never sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties. Not to advertisers, not to data brokers, not to anyone. Period.
Right to Be Forgotten
You can request complete deletion of your account and all associated data at any time. We must comply β it's the law, not just a promise.
Right to Your Data
You can request a full copy of every piece of data we hold about you, in a portable format. Adoption applications, messages, profile info β everything.
Minimal Data Collection
We only collect what's strictly necessary. We don't track your browsing habits across the web, we don't build advertising profiles, and we don't use invasive analytics.
Transparent Cookie Policy
We use only essential cookies to keep you logged in and remember your preferences. No tracking cookies, no ad pixels, no third-party scripts watching your behaviour.
Breach Notification
In the unlikely event of a data breach, GDPR requires us to notify you within 72 hours. No cover-ups, no months of silence. You'll know immediately.
What This Means for Rescue Organisations
Running a rescue means handling sensitive data β adopter details, medical records, volunteer info. Here's how we help:
GDPR Compliance Built In
When you use Wiggly Tails, you don't need to worry about building your own GDPR-compliant infrastructure. We handle data processing agreements, consent management, and secure storage β so you can focus on the dogs.
Adopter Data Protection
Adoption applications contain sensitive personal information. We encrypt this data in transit and at rest, and ensure only authorised rescue staff can access it. When an adoption is complete, old data is automatically archived securely.
Medical Records Security
Veterinary records, vaccination histories, and medical documents are stored with the same level of security as human health data. Access is role-based β only your team sees what they need.
Legal Protection
By using an EU-based platform, your rescue automatically benefits from the legal protections of EU data law. This can be especially important for cross-border adoptions where multiple jurisdictions are involved.
EU vs. Non-EU Platforms
| πͺπΊ Wiggly Tails | Typical US Platform | |
|---|---|---|
| Data stored in | EU (Frankfurt) | US / Global |
| Privacy law | GDPR (strictest) | Varies by state |
| Data sold to advertisers | Never | Often |
| Right to deletion | Guaranteed by law | Varies |
| Breach notification | 72 hours (required) | No fixed timeline |
| Gov. data access | EU courts only | US CLOUD Act applies |
| Cost for rescues | Free forever | Paid plans typical |
Privacy is not a feature. It's a right.
We chose to build in the EU because we believe your data deserves the strongest protection available. Not because it's easy β because it's right.
