As shown in this week’s images, local Kouvola officials attended the ceremonial launch of the project.
Developed in partnership with local firm Hyperco, the Kouvola data center will expand TikTok’s capacity to store EU user data within the region, reducing reliance on transfers back to China. Beyond compliance, the project is also designed to strengthen TikTok’s ties with European leaders by contributing to local economic growth.
“The €1 billion investment will significantly boost Kouvola’s economy. More than 1,000 people are expected to be employed during peak construction, with around 200 permanent jobs once the facility is operational.”
The initiative supports TikTok in meeting EU regulatory standards and may help the platform avoid challenges similar to those it continues to face in the U.S., where it remains under threat of a full ban due to its ties to China.
The new facility is part of TikTok’s broader “Project Clover” program, which also includes data centers in Ireland and Norway. A parallel effort, “Project Texas,” has been established in the U.S. Both initiatives aim to align TikTok with local data requirements and ensure continued operations without restrictions.
Still, uncertainty lingers in the U.S., where President Donald Trump is expected to decide later this month whether to extend TikTok’s grace period through an executive order, or enforce the sell-off mandate.
If TikTok loses access to the U.S. market, Europe will take on even greater importance. The platform recently announced surpassing 200 million EU users, making the region central to its future growth and revenue strategy.
This latest project could therefore prove pivotal—both as a regulatory safeguard and as a cornerstone of TikTok’s long-term survival.
