How we store your personal data VS project data

What information do you store about me and where do you store it?


Key takeaways

  • ATLAS.ti does not store your project data in the desktop version (Windows or Mac). Desktop projects remain stored locally on your device.
  • ATLAS.ti Web projects are stored securely in the cloud and hosted within the European Union.
  • The license system stores only minimal account information required to manage licenses.
  • All cloud data is encrypted and hosted in certified data centers with strict security and privacy standards.
  • ATLAS.ti follows GDPR and international data protection regulations and collects only the minimum data required to operate the service.

Who this article is for

This article is for ATLAS.ti users who want to understand how their personal data and project data are stored, particularly the difference between ATLAS.ti Desktop and ATLAS.ti Web, and how ATLAS.ti ensures data protection and privacy.

What information does ATLAS.ti store about me?

ATLAS.ti stores only the basic account information necessary to provide and manage the service. This includes information such as your name, email address, and account identifiers used for authentication and license management.

This information is used to manage your ATLAS.ti account, activate licenses, and allow access to the software.

For a complete and legally binding description of how personal data is handled, we recommend reviewing the official ATLAS.ti documentation:

• Privacy Policy

• Data Processing Agreement (DPA)

These documents provide the full details about how personal data is processed, protected, and managed within ATLAS.ti services.

Are my projects secured? Where are my project files stored?

Project storage depends on the version of ATLAS.ti you are using.

ATLAS.ti Desktop (Windows and Mac)

Projects created in the desktop software are stored locally on your computer. They are not uploaded to ATLAS.ti servers and remain entirely under your control unless you explicitly export or share them.

Because projects are stored locally, access to your data depends on your own device, storage location, and backup practices.

By default, ATLAS.ti projects and all documents that you add to a project are stored in a sub-folder of the application support folder. For ATLAS.ti 25, the Library is located in:

On Mac: ~/Library/Application Support/ATLAS.ti25

On Windows: C:\Users\"your username"\AppData\Roaming\Scientific Software\ATLASti.25

ATLAS.ti for Windows caches license information under:

%APPDATA%\Scientific Software\ATLASti.25\LicenseCache and %LOCALAPPDATA%\Scientific Software\ATLASti.25\LicenseCache

If you delete the cached information, you will need to login again.

ATLAS.ti Web

Projects created or uploaded in ATLAS.ti Web are stored securely in the cloud.

All data handled through ATLAS.ti Web is fully encrypted and protected against unauthorized access. The infrastructure is operated by SOC-compliant data center providers with relevant international certifications, including:

  • ISO 27001
  • ISO 27018

ATLAS.ti Web is hosted using Amazon Web Services (AWS) infrastructure in Germany. All data processed through ATLAS.ti Web remains within the European Union, and no data is transferred to third countries outside the EU.

Compliance with data protection regulations

ATLAS.ti complies with major international data protection regulations, including GDPR.

We follow a minimal data collection principle, meaning only the data required to deliver the service is processed. Personal data is handled with strict safeguards and in accordance with applicable legal frameworks.

A formal Data Processing Agreement (DPA) is available for organizations that require documentation for compliance purposes.

For more details, please visit our page here: White Paper Data Security and Privacy Compliance

AI features and data privacy

Some ATLAS.ti features use AI-assisted analysis tools. These tools follow strict privacy rules.

Your data is never used to train or improve AI models. All analysis is performed only on the information that you choose to submit through the software.

ATLAS.ti has established a Data Processing Agreement with OpenAI, including Standard Contractual Clauses (SCC), ensuring that personal data remains protected according to European data protection standards.

Your project data remains private and isolated and is processed only for the purpose of providing the requested functionality.

Account deletion and data removal

If you would like your ATLAS.ti account to be deleted, you can request this through our account deletion process. After deletion, your personal account information will be removed in accordance with our data protection policies.

Instructions for requesting account deletion are available in the account deletion guide.

When to contact support

Contact the ATLAS.ti Support team or Data Protection Office if:

  • You have questions about how your personal data is processed.
  • You need documentation related to data protection or the Data Processing Agreement.
  • You would like to request deletion of your account or personal data.
  • You require clarification regarding GDPR compliance or data storage practices.

For data protection inquiries, please contact: dataprotection@atlasti.com

For general support please check our Support Center.

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