GDPR Security Ressources Scaling Video Conference Quality

GDPR-Compliant BigBlueButton Hosting in Germany: What You Need to Know

Navigating the complex landscape of data protection, AV agreements, and server locations for secure video conferencing.

For schools, government agencies, and companies in Europe, choosing a video conferencing tool is no longer just about video quality—it is about compliance. Under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the stakes are high. Using US-based solutions often creates legal grey areas regarding data transfer and the CLOUD Act.

BigBlueButton has emerged as the leading open-source alternative, particularly because it can be hosted in a strictly controlled environment. However, not all BigBlueButton hosting is created equal. To ensure you are on the safe side, we have compiled a checklist of the essential requirements for GDPR-compliant hosting in Germany.

10 GDPR Requirements Your BBB Hosting Must Meet

1
Server Location in Germany

Data must not leave the German legal jurisdiction to avoid third-country transfer risks.

2
AV Agreement (AVV)

A Data Processing Agreement (Auftragsverarbeitungsvertrag) in accordance with Art. 28 GDPR is mandatory.

3
Encrypted Transmission

Transport encryption (TLS/SSL for data, DTLS/SRTP for media) must be enforced.

4
No Third-Party Trackers

The interface must be free of external scripts (like Google Analytics) that leak user metadata.

5
Granular Recording Control

Administrators must have the ability to globally disable recordings to prevent accidental data capture.

6
Anonymized Logs

Server logs should be minimized and deleted automatically after a short retention period (e.g., 7-14 days).

7
ISO 27001 Certified Data Centers

The physical infrastructure must adhere to high security standards to prevent physical access.

8
Data Economy (Sparsamkeit)

Only data strictly necessary for the technical operation should be processed.

9
Secure Access Control

Features like waiting rooms and room access codes must be available to prevent unauthorized entry ("Zoombombing").

10
No Sub-Processors outside EU

Ensure the hoster does not use support chains or sub-processors located in non-secure third countries.

Understanding the Core Concepts

The AV Agreement (AVV)

Without a signed Data Processing Agreement (AVV), using a hosting service is legally risky. This contract binds the hoster to process data only according to your instructions. At bbbserver, we provide a standard AVV immediately upon booking to ensure Art. 28 GDPR compliance.

Server Location Matters

Hosting in Germany means your data is protected by German laws, which are among the strictest in the world. This avoids the complexities of the US CLOUD Act, where US authorities might demand access to data hosted by US companies, even if the servers are in Europe.

Retention & Deletion

Data minimization is a key GDPR principle. We configure our servers to automatically delete temporary conference data. Unless you explicitly choose to record a session, the data vanishes once the conference room is closed.

FAQ for Data Protection Officers & IT Managers

Our servers are located exclusively in ISO 27001 certified data centers in Germany. We do not use cloud providers where data location can shift dynamically across borders.

Yes. An AVV compliant with Art. 28 GDPR is part of our service. It is available for download and digital signature in your customer dashboard immediately after registration.

IP addresses are technically necessary to establish the connection (WebRTC). However, logs are rotated and deleted after a short period (typically 14 days) used solely for troubleshooting and security auditing, in strict compliance with data privacy laws.

Yes. We offer configuration options that remove the recording button entirely from the interface, ensuring that no user can accidentally record a session without authorization.