You’ve probably heard the phrase “your data is your most valuable asset” — but what happens when it’s not really yours at all?

In a world full of cloud platforms, third-party tools, and subscription software, data ownership isn’t always as straightforward as it should be. And if you’re not thinking about it now, you could be setting yourself up for some nasty surprises later.

Wait — Isn’t It My Data?

That depends.

Some platforms make it crystal clear: you own the data, full stop. Others bury it in terms and conditions. And in some cases, you might only have access to your data as long as you keep paying for the service — or until they decide to change their terms.

In short: just because you enter the data doesn’t mean you own or control it.

Why It Matters

Here’s why data ownership isn’t just a legal checkbox — it has real consequences:

• Access: If your provider shuts down or changes pricing, can you still get to your data?
  
  
• Portability: Can you move your data elsewhere if you change platforms?
  
  
• Privacy & Compliance: Are you meeting your obligations under Australian privacy laws? Do you know where your data is stored — and who can access it?
  
  
• Trust: If you’re collecting sensitive or community-based data (like night patrol reports or service delivery records), you need to be absolutely certain it’s secure, private, and in your control.
  
  

How HutSix Approaches It

We believe in data sovereignty — that is, our clients own their data, always.

We build software using our own proprietary libraries, which gives us complete control over how your systems are built, secured, and scaled — and lets us avoid relying on third-party platforms that might have murky data terms. Your system is tailor-made, but your data stays yours.

We design platforms that:

• Clearly separate your data from the underlying infrastructure.
  
  
• Let you export or move your data at any time — no lock-in.
  
  
• Store data in Australia (where required), in line with privacy and governance standards.
  
  
• Include audit trails, role-based access, and security by design — especially important for councils, Indigenous organisations, and service providers working with sensitive or regulated information.
  
  

If you want to understand exactly how we handle data and ownership, we’ve laid it all out in plain English in our Terms & Conditions.

Own It, Don’t Lease It

At the end of the day, your data tells the story of your work. It’s how you measure impact, prove compliance, and plan ahead.

So you should never be in doubt about who owns it, where it’s stored, or what happens if you want to make a change.

We build systems that put you in control — because your data should work for you, not the other way around.