GDPR-Compliant File Transfer
File Transfers That Stay Within EU Borders
Choose your storage region per transfer. Built-in AES-256 encryption, customer-managed keys, and automatic file deletion. Designed for businesses with European data residency requirements.
Why GDPR compliance matters for file transfers
GDPR places strict requirements on how personal data is stored, processed and transferred. For businesses operating in or with the EU, this affects every part of how files containing personal data are handled, including the file transfer service used to send them. Files must be stored within EU jurisdiction (or in countries with adequate protection), encrypted appropriately, retained only for as long as necessary, and deleted in a recoverable, auditable way.
Most consumer file-sharing tools weren't designed with these requirements in mind. WeTransfer doesn't expose storage region controls. Smash and Filemail have limited or no storage region selection. Google Drive routes through global infrastructure that's difficult to constrain. For businesses subject to GDPR, choosing a file transfer service is a compliance decision, not just a convenience one.
TransferRocket gives you the controls you need
TransferRocket lets you choose the storage region for every transfer. Selecting an EU region keeps the data within EU borders for the full lifecycle of the transfer, from upload through download through automatic deletion. Files are encrypted at rest using AES-256 and in transit using TLS, meeting the technical baseline GDPR expects.
For transfers requiring the highest privacy controls, customer-managed encryption (SSE-C) lets you provide your own encryption key. The key is never stored by TransferRocket, meaning even we cannot decrypt the data. This is particularly relevant for legal, medical and financial transfers where the encryption key is itself a compliance asset.
Storage durations are customisable per transfer, letting you align retention with the principle of data minimisation. After the chosen duration, files are automatically and permanently deleted. Password protection adds an additional access control on top of the unique transfer link, free on every transfer.
The technical controls TransferRocket provides
- Choose your storage region per transfer
- Keep data within EU borders to meet GDPR requirements, or choose another region for clients with different jurisdictional requirements.
- AES-256 encryption at rest
- Industry-standard encryption applied to every file, regardless of pricing tier.
- TLS encryption in transit
- Files are encrypted during upload and download. Standard, non-negotiable.
- Customer-managed encryption (SSE-C)
- Provide your own encryption key for the highest privacy level. Even TransferRocket cannot decrypt the data.
- Password protection on every transfer
- Free on every transfer, including free-tier transfers.
- Automatic file deletion
- Files are permanently deleted after the storage duration you chose, no manual cleanup required.
A note on compliance assessment
GDPR compliance is the responsibility of the data controller, not the file transfer service. The technical controls TransferRocket provides (storage region, encryption, automatic deletion, customer-managed keys) are the technical building blocks you need, but compliance also depends on how you use them, what data you transfer, and your broader data protection posture.
We recommend documenting which storage region you select for transfers containing personal data, retaining records of password protection use where relevant, and consulting your data protection officer or legal counsel for specific regulatory questions. TransferRocket provides a compliant technical foundation; the organisational and procedural side is your responsibility.
Frequently asked questions
- Is TransferRocket GDPR-compliant?
- Yes. TransferRocket lets you choose the storage region for each transfer, allowing you to keep data within EU jurisdiction to meet GDPR data residency requirements. All transfers are encrypted in transit (TLS) and at rest (AES-256). Customer-managed encryption (SSE-C) is available for transfers requiring the highest privacy controls.
- Where are my files stored?
- You choose, per transfer. Storage regions are available across the EU and other jurisdictions. For GDPR compliance, select an EU storage region; the file will be stored and processed within EU borders only.
- Are files encrypted at rest?
- Yes. All files are encrypted at rest using AES-256, the industry standard. Customer-managed encryption (SSE-C) is also available, allowing you to provide your own encryption key. With SSE-C, even TransferRocket cannot decrypt your files.
- What happens to files after the transfer expires?
- Files are automatically deleted after the storage duration you chose at upload. The deletion is permanent and includes all replicas. You can also manually delete a transfer at any time before its expiration.
- Do you keep logs of personal data?
- We keep minimal logs needed for service operation, security and billing. We don't sell, share or process your transfer contents for any purpose other than delivery. Our privacy policy details exactly what data we collect and how it's used.
- Can I use TransferRocket for transfers covered by professional confidentiality (medical, legal, financial)?
- TransferRocket provides the technical features needed for confidential transfers: AES-256 encryption at rest, TLS in transit, customer-managed encryption (SSE-C), password protection, and EU data residency. For specific regulatory requirements (HIPAA, BAFin, etc.), evaluate whether the technical controls meet your compliance obligations and consult your data protection officer if needed.
Send a GDPR-compliant transfer today
Choose your EU storage region. Free up to 5 GB.
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