TikTok Set to Install Data Centers in Europe to Allay Privacy Concerns

TikTok announced its plans on Friday, Feb. 17, that it will add two more data centers in Europe in an effort to allay growing worries about data privacy for its users outside of China, according to a report by AP.

New Data Centers in Europe

Authorities in Europe and the United States have criticized TikTok over worries that it may collect vast amounts of user data and transport it to China.

In a blog post, Rich Waterworth, the business's general manager for European operations, stated that the company is close to completing a plan with a third-party provider for a second data center in Ireland.

TikTok is also in discussions to open a third data center in Europe, though it has not yet announced a building site.

ByteDance introduced TikTok in 2016 and it has since skyrocketed to fame with its shareable short-form videos, which are notably attractive to younger users.

However, its Chinese ownership has drawn concerns from the West, fearing that the country may collect user data and use it to advance pro-China narratives.

CEO Shou Zi Chew was informed last month that the business will have to adhere to the stringent new digital regulations set forth by the European Union.

The Digital Services Act requires tech companies and internet platforms with 45 million or more users to take further measures to remove illegal content and misinformation, or risk facing potentially billion-dollar fines.

According to a report from TikTok on Friday, the app has 125 million monthly active users in the EU, which gives more reason for it to be subjected to more inspection under the upcoming rules.

US Scrutiny

TikTok has been notably under intense scrutiny in the US as some lawmakers and officials seek to ban the app in the whole country. In fact, a US senator asked two major smartphone OS providers to ban the platform from its app stores earlier this month.

Senator Michael Bennet sent a letter to Apple and Google requesting that they withdraw TikTok from the country due to security concerns and alleged data-gathering practices.

"Like most social media platforms, TikTok collects vast and sophisticated data from its users, including faceprints and voiceprints. Unlike most social media platforms, TikTok poses a unique concern because Chinese law obligates ByteDance, its Beijing-based parent company, to 'support, assist, and cooperate with state intelligence work,'" the senator wrote in his letter.