TikTok opens its first EU data center to satisfy regulators

The move is aimed at ensuring compliance with the European Union's Digital Services Act, which forced TikTok to make its algorithm optional for users in the EU.

TikTok's first data center in Ireland represents the initial phase of its broader "Project Clover" initiative, an effort to localize European user data storage. This strategy is similar to the U.S. "Project Texas," which also aims to address data privacy concerns by routing user data through servers owned by U.S. technology company Oracle.

The platform is not stopping with the Dublin unit; TikTok has plans to establish two more data centers in Europe, one in Norway and another in Ireland, underlining its commitment to safeguarding user data and ensuring compliance with regulations. The move is seen as an attempt to ease concerns about TikTok's ties to China.

TikTok engaged NCC Group, a UK-based cybersecurity company specializing in cybersecurity, to strengthen its security measures and data controls. Their tasks include auditing TikTok's data controls, monitoring data flows, independently verifying and promptly reporting any incidents. Access to these controls and operations is restricted to approved personnel.