Your Data. Your Control.

Data Sovereignty: Your Data Under Your Jurisdiction

Why It Matters

Data sovereignty means your data is subject to the privacy laws and governance structures of the country where it's physically stored—not the laws of the software vendor's home country. This distinction is critical for organizations operating outside the United States, particularly in Canada, Europe, and other regions with strong data protection frameworks.

The US Data Access Challenge

Many utility mapping solutions are provided by US-based companies, which creates potential exposure to US government data access laws:

• The CLOUD Act (2018) requires US-based technology companies to provide data to US law enforcement upon request—regardless of where that data is physically stored. Even if your data sits on a server in Toronto, Paris, or Sydney, a US-based vendor can be compelled to hand it over.
• The USA PATRIOT Act grants broad surveillance powers to US intelligence agencies, allowing access to data held by US companies without the knowledge of the data owner. In many cases, the company is legally prohibited from informing you that your data has been accessed.
• FISA Section 702 allows US authorities to access communications data from US companies for foreign intelligence purposes without requiring a warrant if the target is not a US citizen.

The TerraFlow Difference

This means:

• Canadian jurisdiction applies – Your data is governed by Canadian privacy laws (PIPEDA) and provincial regulations, not US surveillance legislation
• Limited CLOUD Act exposure – US authorities cannot compel TerraFlow to provide access to your data through US legal mechanisms though we do use Microsoft Azure who could be
• Transparent data governance – You'll always know where your data is stored and which laws govern its protection
• Compliance-ready – Meet regulatory requirements for organizations that must keep sensitive infrastructure data within national borders

For Our International Customers

We understand that data sovereignty requirements vary by country and sector. TerraFlow offers flexible deployment options:

• Default Canadian hosting for customers
• Regional hosting options available to meet specific regulatory requirements (United States, Australia, Europe, Asia and more)
• Hybrid solutions combining cloud efficiency with local data residency for organizations with strict data localization mandates

Zero Vendor Lock-In: Your Data, Your Way

The Vendor Lock-In Trap

Many enterprise software vendors use proprietary data formats, complex dependencies, and restrictive licensing to make it prohibitively difficult or expensive to switch platforms. This creates a situation where you're paying not for value, but because leaving would be too disruptive.

The warning signs of vendor lock-in include:

• Data stored in proprietary formats that can't be easily exported
• Dependency on vendor-specific file structures that other systems can't read
• Complex, costly migration processes if you want to change platforms
• Lack of standard data export options or APIs
• Required long-term contracts with heavy termination penalties

TerraFlow's Open Data Philosophy

We've built TerraFlow on a foundation of interoperability and data portability:

Standard Data Formats

• GeoJSON, KML, Shapefile – Industry-standard geospatial formats supported
• CSV/Excel exports – Simple tabular data export for analysis
• Database-agnostic – Your data structure remains portable

Complete Data Export Capabilities

• Full database export available at any time
• No restrictions on when or how often you export your data
• No hidden "export fees" or processing charges
• Automated export scheduling available
• Preserve all attributes, relationships, and metadata

Open APIs and Integration

• RESTful API for seamless integration with your existing systems
• Connect to GIS platforms, asset management systems, and business intelligence tools
• Webhook support for real-time data synchronization
• Comprehensive API documentation

Flexible Licensing

• Subscription options available
• No long-term multi-year contract requirements
• Transparent pricing with no hidden fees
• Easy scaling up or down based on your needs

Migration Support To Others

Should you ever decide to move to a different platform, we'll help make it as smooth as possible:

• Complete data export assistance
• Format conversion support
• Documentation of data structures and relationships
• Reasonable transition timeline with continued access

We're confident that once you experience TerraFlow, you won't want to leave—but we'll never trap you into staying.

Migration Support From Others

We'd love you to join the TerraFlow family and we'll help make it as smooth as possible:

• Complete data import assistance
• Format conversion support
• Documentation of data structures and relationships
• Reasonable transition timeline with immediate access

We're confident that once you experience TerraFlow, you'll want to join us.

Why This Matters for Your Organization

Risk Mitigation

• Regulatory compliance – Reduce potential conflicts between local data protection laws and US surveillance legislation
• Operational continuity – Severly limited risk of service disruption due to geopolitical tensions or trade disputes
• Strategic independence – Make technology decisions based on value, not because you're locked in

Cost Control

• Competitive pricing power – The ability to switch vendors keeps pricing honest
• No migration costs – No need to budget for expensive data migration projects
• Flexible scaling – Pay for what you need without long-term commitments

Future-Proofing

• Technology evolution – Integrate with new tools and platforms as they emerge
• Merger and acquisition readiness – Portable data simplifies corporate changes
• Multi-vendor strategies – Use best-of-breed tools without compatibility concerns

Built on Trust and Transparency

Data sovereignty and vendor independence aren't just technical features—they're fundamental expressions of how we view our relationship with customers. You're trusting us with your critical infrastructure data. We take that responsibility seriously by ensuring you always maintain control.

Our Commitments to You:

• Transparency – Clear information about where your data is stored and who can access it
• Ownership – You own your data completely; we're just the custodian
• Portability – Easy export in standard formats, whenever you want
• Privacy – No selling of your data, no third-party access without your permission
• Compliance – Adherence to the highest data protection standards