What does "data residency" refer to in Google Workspace?

"Data residency" specifically refers to the geographic location where user data is stored within the infrastructure of a service like Google Workspace. This concept is particularly important for organizations that must comply with various legal and regulatory requirements regarding data protection and privacy. Knowing where data resides enables companies to ensure they meet applicable laws related to data sovereignty and to manage their data more effectively.

When users choose Google Workspace, they often have the option to select the regions where their data is kept, which helps them control the compliance and security aspects based on their operational needs. Consequently, this focus on the geographic storage of data underlines the critical nature of data residency in a cloud services context.