Helsingin Sanomat reports that social media platform TikTok, owned by Chinese company ByteDance, has confirmed plans to build a major data centre in Finland.
A TikTok spokesperson tells HS that investment in the new facility forms part of a broader project to improve cybersecurity across Europe.
"We are investing one billion euros in a new data centre in Finland as part of the Clover project, an initiative to enhance security across Europe," the spokesperson said in an email.
Reuters was the first to report on TikTok’s data centre project.
The company declined to comment on the project’s timeline, location, or scope, and it remains unclear if TikTok has made a final investment decision.
HS however reports that TikTok plans to invest 12 billion euros in data centres and data privacy improvements across Europe over the next decade as part of the Clover project. The centres will store European user data, with oversight from EU authorities, to address concerns about Chinese government access.
TikTok opened its first European data centre in Ireland in September 2023, with another beginning operations in Norway in October 2024. The company also has data centres in the US and Asia.
HS writes that the Finland data centre announcement came as a surprise to local stakeholders. Antti Aumo of Invest in Finland said the organisation was not involved in TikTok's plans, while Veijo Terho, chair of the Finnish Data Centre Association, also expressed surprise at the announcement.
The latest episode of the All Points North podcast looks into the surging number of children in Finland being diagnosed with ADHD. Listen to the episode via this embedded player, on Yle Areena, via Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
May Day trash
Tabloid Iltalehti reports on the messy aftermath of Vappu (May Day) celebrations in Helsinki’s Kaivopuisto park, describing a scene of overflowing bins, litter-strewn lawns and seagulls picking at leftovers.
According to IL, there was plenty of work for those collecting trash and bottles, as far too few revellers had cleaned up after themselves.
Many partygoers left the traditional May Day celebration location around 8pm, but there were still a few people in the park later into the evening.
According to Iltalehti photographer Henri Kärkkäinen, the spots where people had camped out were marked by piles of trash and champagne bottles.
Cold weekend ahead
Ilta-Sanomat reports that the May Day sunshine is giving way to colder weather and cooler temperatures, as a chill sets in across the country.
Meteorologist Joonas Koskela from Foreca predicts a windy, rainy Friday. Strong gusts and widespread rain from the west will affect southern and central Finland during the day.
In northern Lapland, significant precipitation is expected, which could even turn to snowfall.
The rainy weather will continue into the weekend.
"There will be steady sleet, snow, and rain in the north, while the south can expect scattered showers. Saturday also looks windy, with strong gusts from the north in Lapland and the west in the south," Koskela said.
By Sunday, cold air will push temperatures below 10 degrees Celsius nationwide, with sleet in southern areas and snow further north.
IS reports that the start of next week will remain chilly, with overnight lows potentially dipping below freezing in the south and daytime highs staying in the single digits.
Users with an Yle ID can leave comments on our news stories. You can create your Yle ID via this link. Our guidelines on commenting and moderation are explained here.
