Daven Tamayo

Article (news)

What does AWS think of data sovereignty?

Benise Balaoing

ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA -- Data sovereignty is about more than just where data physically resides, an executive at Amazon Web Services (AWS) said.</p><p>Data sovereignty refers to the use of local data centers to process and store data generated or used in a particular country, so that the data is subject to that country&#x27;s laws.</p><p>Asked about AWS’ thoughts on data sovereignty, country manager for the Philippines Precious Lim said, “We believe that true data sovereignty is about more than just where data physically resides — it&#x27;s about who controls the data, who has access to it, and what legal protections apply.”</p><p>Lim said AWS, one of the world’s leading cloud service providers, gives customers the tools and contractual commitments to maintain control over their data, including the ability to choose where it is stored and processed. </p><p>“In the Philippines, we are already present through the AWS Manila Local Zone…which allows customers to run latency-sensitive applications closer to end users in the Philippines and helps address data residency requirements,” she said.</p><p>The Department of Information and Communications Technology earlier said it is pushing to build local data centers to reduce the Philippines&#x27; reliance on foreign cloud services. </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/10/1/lawmakers-warn-of-national-security-risk-with-90-of-government-data-stored-abroad-0115" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Lawmakers warn of national security risk with 90% of government data stored abroad</a></div><p>The DICT said 90 percent of government data is stored abroad, mostly in Singapore, costing taxpayers around P12 billion annually. </p><p>A lawmaker, who sponsored the DICT&#x27;s proposed budget, said the use of foreign data centers also exposes the government to security risks.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/technology/2025/10/19/industry-player-pushes-for-setting-up-ph-data-centers-for-data-sovereignty-1648" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Industry player pushes for setting up PH data centers for data sovereignty</a></div><p>An IT industry player has said that data sovereignty will result in more foreign direct investments in the Philippines.</p><p>&quot;Our commitment is that we will always be listening to signals, demand, and requirements from our customers everywhere in the world, including the Philippines, in terms of what infrastructure is needed in-country,&quot; Lim said when asked about what would make the Philippines more attractive to hypercalers.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/technology/2026/2/24/bpos-now-looking-at-using-agentic-ai-to-improve-processes-amazon-unit-1922" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">BPOs now looking at using agentic AI to improve processes: Amazon</a></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/technology/2025/9/29/pldt-unit-launches-country-s-first-sovereign-ai-1859" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">PLDT unit launches country&#x27;s &#x27;first&#x27; sovereign AI</a></div>

<p>Data sovereignty is about more than just where data physically resides, an executive at Amazon Web Services (AWS) said.</p>

Data sovereignty is about more than just where data physically resides, an executive at Amazon Web Services (AWS) said.