To be honest, we probably overlooked privacy while shopping for web hosting. Fast forward to 2025, and it's now one of the first things that a person will care about. The scramble of data breaches, online trackers, and other spying laws have certainly caused us all to wonder: "Who is controlling my data?"
When millions of accounts of user accounts get leaked from these companies, it makes every person apprehensive.
When looking for hosting companies, people want companies who protect the privacy of their customers - hosting companies who encrypt everything, hide the user's info, and never sell their customer's data.
At one point, I used a cheap web host, but found out the hard way when they were hacked and my site went down for days. That is when I learned a valuable lesson: privacy is not optional - it's required.
Here’s the flavor of what that looks like:
• Encryption everywhere (websites to stored files)
• Data Centers that comply with data protection laws and privacy, such as GDPR
• Less data sharing, and thus less third-party tracker or tool integrations
• Ability to sign up and pay anonymously, or even with crypto!
Ever notice how there are now hosts talking about not logging data, or using frameworks, such as data sovereignty? Because consumers are asking for tangible gifts of privacy.
Here are the reasons privacy-first hosting is growing quickly:
Companies like Proton, Njalla, and Hetzner offer privacy tools as part of their hosting for low or no cost.
One day web hosting companies will compete for you to choose them for speed and features based on privacy first (not based on who can get you the fastest server).
If you are building a website in 2025/26 when the hosting space is saturated here is a tip:
Choose a hosting company that treats your data like a treasure not a product.
In the end, speed and price might become irrelevant when reputations are lost and you have lost the trust of visitors.
The Data Breaches Changed Telemetry Forever
A few years back, only large companies were getting hacked. Today, even small web hosting companies have been attacked.When millions of accounts of user accounts get leaked from these companies, it makes every person apprehensive.
When looking for hosting companies, people want companies who protect the privacy of their customers - hosting companies who encrypt everything, hide the user's info, and never sell their customer's data.
At one point, I used a cheap web host, but found out the hard way when they were hacked and my site went down for days. That is when I learned a valuable lesson: privacy is not optional - it's required.
What Changes Will 2025-26 Bring
A multitude of hosting providers are now going privacy-first. Providers are starting to incorporate privacy into everything that they do, or provide.Here’s the flavor of what that looks like:
• Encryption everywhere (websites to stored files)
• Data Centers that comply with data protection laws and privacy, such as GDPR
• Less data sharing, and thus less third-party tracker or tool integrations
• Ability to sign up and pay anonymously, or even with crypto!
Ever notice how there are now hosts talking about not logging data, or using frameworks, such as data sovereignty? Because consumers are asking for tangible gifts of privacy.
Why People and Businesses Are Making the Change
Speed, uptime, and price have been important to people for years. Now, data safety matters too.Here are the reasons privacy-first hosting is growing quickly:
- Trust brings web traffic. People are more likely to visit the sites that protect their data.
- There are new privacy laws & breaking them can come with large penalties.
- Reputation matters and one leak can destroy your reputation.
Companies like Proton, Njalla, and Hetzner offer privacy tools as part of their hosting for low or no cost.
The Future of Web Hosting
Privacy-first hosting is not just a trend, it's the future.One day web hosting companies will compete for you to choose them for speed and features based on privacy first (not based on who can get you the fastest server).
If you are building a website in 2025/26 when the hosting space is saturated here is a tip:
Choose a hosting company that treats your data like a treasure not a product.
In the end, speed and price might become irrelevant when reputations are lost and you have lost the trust of visitors.