Social media firm TikTok says it will create hundreds of new jobs in Ireland with the establishment of its first European data centre.
The company says it is investing around €420 million in the facility, which is set to begin operating in early 2022.
It will store videos, messages and other data from European users of the video-sharing app.
They already operate an EMEA Trust and Safety Hub in Dublin.
The company is pledging to grow their data protection and privacy teams, saying their Irish operation has recently become the data controller for the European Economic Area and Switzerland.
IDA Ireland has welcomed the announcement by TikTok.
CEO Martin Shanahan said: "TikTok’s decision to establish its first European data centre in Ireland, representing a substantial investment here by the company, is very welcome and, following on from the establishment of its EMEA Trust & Safety Hub in Dublin earlier in the year, positions Ireland as an important location in the company’s global operations."
TikTok is owned by Chinese firm ByteDance, with the service allowing users to share short videos.
It has attracted hundreds of millions of users, and has proven particularly popular among younger audiences.
Today's announcement comes as tech giant Microsoft continues to look into buying TikTok.
US President Donald Trump recently threatened to ban the Chinese-owned app in the US, but has now suggested the US Treasury should get a cut from any sale if the US wing is bought by an American company.
