How we verify EU data sovereignty
The EU Score is a 0–3 scale that tells you how confidently we can say a product is European — and where its data actually lives.
We haven't been able to verify the product's EU status yet. It may still be European — it's pending enrichment or the information isn't publicly available.
The product mentions EU presence, GDPR compliance, or European origins — but we haven't independently verified the HQ location.
How to upgrade: The vendor adds their HQ country in their listing. Staff verifies it.
The company is headquartered in an EU member state, verified via EU VAT registration through the official VIES registry (European Commission). Data may still be processed outside the EU.
How to upgrade: The vendor adds their EU VAT number. Squidir verifies it automatically via the VIES API. No manual step needed.
HQ in the EU (VAT verified) and servers/infrastructure confirmed to be in EU data centers. The Squidir team has audited the server declaration. This is the highest level of EU data sovereignty we certify.
How to upgrade: The vendor declares their EU server infrastructure in their listing. A Squidir staff member audits and manually upgrades the score.
Frequently asked questions
Does EU Score affect ranking?
Yes. EU Score is the largest single factor in the ranking algorithm, weighted at 35%. A product with a higher EU Score will generally rank higher than one with a lower score — all else being equal. This is intentional: EU data sovereignty is the core value of the directory.
Can a vendor fake their EU Score?
No. Scores 1 and 2 require external verification (staff review and VIES API respectively). Score 3 requires staff audit of server infrastructure. Vendors provide data; Squidir verifies. The vendor can never change their own score.
What about UK-based companies post-Brexit?
UK companies are not EU member states and cannot receive an EU-based score (2/3) via VIES. They can receive EU Mentions (1/3) if they have EU infrastructure or GDPR compliance. We may add a separate "UK Based" indicator in the future.
What about GDPR compliance?
The EU Score measures location, not compliance. A product can be EU-based and still have poor GDPR practices, or US-based with strong EU data processing agreements. EU Score is one signal — not the whole picture. Always review a vendor's DPA before processing personal data.
Is your product EU Based or Verified?
Claim your listing and start the verification process. It's free.