To alleviate concerns about Chinese state surveillance, TikTok has opened its first European data center.

Due to data privacy concerns regarding the video-sharing app’s links to China, the company is now migrating European users’ data to servers in Dublin.

It claims Beijing has never obtained data from TikTok, owned by Chinese firm ByteDance.

Access could be requested at any time by the Chinese state, according to critics.

Additionally, the video-sharing giant will allow a European security company to audit its cyber-security and data protection policies.

TikTok has dubbed this “Project Clover”, pointing out the pivotal role that Ireland is playing. It is being conducted in parallel with “Project Texas”, which promised lawmakers similar measures in 2020.

TikTok’s use was restricted earlier this year due to cyber-security and privacy concerns.

A spate of institutions decided to ban the app from officials’ devices, including the UK government, the European Parliament, the European Commission, and the EU Council. The Chinese state may be able to access TikTok’s user data, which is one of the key concerns of European security officials.

In addition, Beijing has warned that having the app on devices could allow it to access emails, contacts, and other communications.

With the goal of easing these concerns, TikTok will now store user data locally for European users.

Data centers in Dublin and Hamar, Norway are now operational, with another in Ireland on the way.

TikTok’s 150 million European users’ data will be moved through one of these three centres.