In response to data privacy concerns surrounding the video-sharing app’s links to China, data is now migrating to servers in Dublin.

ByteDance, the company that owns TikTok, says Beijing has never received any data from the app.

The Chinese state could request access at any time, according to critics.

A European security company will also be allowed to audit the video-sharing company’s cyber-security and data protection controls.

In recognition of Ireland’s pivotal role, TikTok calls this “Project Clover”. Parallel to this is “Project Texas”, which promised similar measures to US lawmakers in 2020.

A number of government restrictions were placed on TikTok earlier this year on the basis of cyber-security and privacy concerns.

A number of institutions have banned the app from their officials’ devices, including the UK government, the European Parliament, the European Commission, and the EU Council. The Chinese government may be able to access the data TikTok holds on its users, which is a major concern of European security officials.

As a result of having the app installed on devices, Beijing could access emails, contacts, and other communication.

In an effort to ease these concerns, TikTok will now store European user data locally.

Currently, there is one data center in Dublin, and another is in the works in Ireland and in the Hamar region of Norway.

Each of these three centres will handle the data of TikTok’s 150 million European users.