TikTok has plans to open its first European data centre in Ireland, investing around €420m (£372m) in the nation in the process.

The data centre, which can be expected to open by early 2022, will create hundreds of jobs, provide a safe location to store European user data, and improve loading times. Currently, all user records are stored in the US and backed up in Singapore.

The announcement comes as concerns around the security of the TikTok app continue to grow, particularly with President Donald Trump threatening to ban the platform in the US. The app’s owner, ByteDance, is working hard to prove that it is not a security risk despite the allegations levelled toward it.

“Protecting our communitys privacy and data is and will continue to be our priority,” said Roland Cloutier, Global Chief Information Security Officer at TikTok. “Todays announcement is just the latest part of our ongoing work to enhance our global capability and efforts to protect our users and the TikTok community. This data centre signals our long-term commitment to Ireland and we expect the data centre to open and be operational by early 2022.”

The data centre follows on from the establishment of TikTok’s EMEA Trust and Safety Hub in Dublin earlier this year. This led to TikTok’s Irish business, alongside its UK business, becoming responsible for user privacy and safety across the EEA and Switzerland.

“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,” said Martin Shanahan, IDA Ireland CEO.