TikTok opens its first EU data center in Ireland
In an attempt to comply with the Digital Services Act by the European Union, TikTok has opened its first EU data center and started transferring European user data to this new center located in Dublin, Ireland. This measure aims to address concerns about data privacy, particularly in the context of TikTok’s connections with China. The company has plans to open two more data centers in Europe, specifically in Norway and Ireland.
The opening of the new data center is part of TikTok’s “Project Clover”, an initiative aimed at localizing the storage of European data. The project is similar to “Project Texas” in the United States, which also seeks to alleviate concerns about data privacy by routing user data through servers owned by American company Oracle. As part of its commitment to data security, TikTok is cooperating with NCC Group, a UK-based security firm that will audit TikTok’s data controls and protections.
However, despite these efforts, governments worldwide continue to express concerns about TikTok’s Chinese ties. The US House of Representatives has banned TikTok on its devices, and Montana plans a complete ban of the app by 2024. Similarly, the European Commission has prohibited its staff from using the app.
Sources:
- In a bid to please regulators, TikTok opens its first EU data center in Ireland – The Verge
- TikTok starts migrating European users’ data to its first local data center
- TikTok opens datacentre in Dublin in bid to combat European privacy concerns
