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Increased Demand for Gray-Zone Hosting Services in Response to US Data Access Concerns

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Last updated
1 unique sources, 1 articles

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Since the start of the new US presidential administration in early 2025, there has been a significant increase in demand for gray-zone hosting services. These services, provided by companies like FlokiNET and 1984 Hosting, offer data storage in jurisdictions with strong privacy protections, making them attractive to organizations and individuals concerned about US data access. These hosting providers operate in legal gray areas, offering anonymous sign-up and payment, and relying on open-source tools and trusted collaborators. They store data in countries like Iceland, Finland, the Netherlands, and Romania, chosen for their legal frameworks that favor the type of content being hosted. The providers are prepared to defend their clients' data against government takedown demands, even facing legal consequences themselves. The rise in demand is driven by fears of increased government surveillance and control over online information, particularly among groups such as abortion clinics, civil rights organizations, and independent newsrooms.

Timeline

  1. 04.09.2025 16:45 1 articles · 25d ago

    Increased Demand for Gray-Zone Hosting Services in 2025

    Since the start of the new US presidential administration in early 2025, there has been a significant increase in demand for gray-zone hosting services. These services, provided by companies like FlokiNET and 1984 Hosting, offer data storage in jurisdictions with strong privacy protections, making them attractive to organizations and individuals concerned about US data access. These hosting providers operate in legal gray areas, offering anonymous sign-up and payment, and relying on open-source tools and trusted collaborators. They store data in countries like Iceland, Finland, the Netherlands, and Romania, chosen for their legal frameworks that favor the type of content being hosted. The providers are prepared to defend their clients' data against government takedown demands, even facing legal consequences themselves. The rise in demand is driven by fears of increased government surveillance and control over online information, particularly among groups such as abortion clinics, civil rights organizations, and independent newsrooms.

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Information Snippets

  • FlokiNET and 1984 Hosting have seen a surge in requests from US-based clients seeking to relocate sensitive data to jurisdictions with stronger privacy protections.

    First reported: 04.09.2025 16:45
    1 source, 1 article
    Show sources

  • Gray-zone hosting providers operate in legal gray areas, offering anonymous sign-up and payment, and relying on open-source tools and trusted collaborators.

    First reported: 04.09.2025 16:45
    1 source, 1 article
    Show sources

  • Data is stored in countries like Iceland, Finland, the Netherlands, and Romania, chosen for their legal frameworks that favor the type of content being hosted.

    First reported: 04.09.2025 16:45
    1 source, 1 article
    Show sources

  • Providers are prepared to defend their clients' data against government takedown demands, even facing legal consequences themselves.

    First reported: 04.09.2025 16:45
    1 source, 1 article
    Show sources

  • The rise in demand is driven by fears of increased government surveillance and control over online information, particularly among groups such as abortion clinics, civil rights organizations, and independent newsrooms.

    First reported: 04.09.2025 16:45
    1 source, 1 article
    Show sources

  • Iceland has become a stronghold for free expression, offering robust legal protections to journalists, whistleblowers, human rights defenders, and others who rely on freedom of speech.

    First reported: 04.09.2025 16:45
    1 source, 1 article
    Show sources

  • Iceland's protective laws have been proven in court, with cases won by 1984 Hosting and other providers successfully resisting censorship attempts and protecting users' data.

    First reported: 04.09.2025 16:45
    1 source, 1 article
    Show sources