Video-sharing platform TikTok has scrapped plans to occupy a second Dublin office building.
The company currently employs around 3,000 people in Ireland and its main base is a building called ‘The Sorting Office’ in Dublin 2.
It was due to occupy a second building nearby known as the ‘Tropical Fruit Warehouse’ but that plan will now not be going ahead.
According to an internal memo to TikTok staff, the company said that after a business review and consideration of various factors, including post-pandemic working patterns it had concluded that there is sufficient capacity both in terms of desk space and meeting rooms for all staff to be based at The Sorting Office.
“As a result, we are adjusting our plan and instead bringing our entire Dublin employee base together under one roof,” the memo stated.
“The Sorting Office has become a vibrant space since opening last year. We think that having one single location for all employees will foster a stronger ‘one team’ culture, and simplify in-person collaboration right the way across the business,” according to the memo.
Chinese-owned TikTok has faced scrutiny over how much access China has to user data.
Ireland is playing a central role in the company’s efforts to reassure European regulators that user data is secure.
‘Project Clover’ is TikTok’s data security plan and it involves the storage of European user information at data centres in Ireland and Norway.
In April 2023, the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) issued guidance advising Irish Government departments and state agencies against the use of the app on official devices.
The US and UK governments, as well as EU institutions, have also banned the platform on staff devices over cybersecurity fears.
TikTok has described the government bans as misguided.
TikTok’s scrapping of plans to occupy a second Dublin office building was first reported by the Irish Times.
