In a move that has sent ripples through the European tech scene, TikTok has been operating a clandestine hub in Madrid for over a year, a major investigation can reveal. The covert operation, run by a former George Soros fund manager, appears designed to woo and manage the platform's most valuable European content creators away from the prying eyes of regulators and its own London headquarters.
The secretive Spanish office is led by Scott Bessent, the head of TikTok's parent company, ByteDance. Bessent, who previously managed investments for billionaire George Soros, has been quietly building a team focused on the platform's top-tier influencers. This strategic shift towards Madrid raises significant questions about the Chinese-owned app's long-term strategy within the European Union.
A Strategic Pivot to The Continent
The establishment of this Madrid base signals a potential strategic pivot for TikTok within Europe. While its official European headquarters remains in Dublin and a major operational hub is in London, the creation of this influencer-focused cell in Spain suggests a desire to decentralise key operations.
Industry analysts suggest this move could be an attempt to insulate the company's most valuable assets—its creators—from the intense regulatory scrutiny it faces in both the UK and the US. By operating from Madrid, the team can work with less public and governmental oversight.
Data and Influence: The Core Concerns
The revelation of this covert hub will likely amplify existing concerns among Western security officials about TikTok's data handling practices and its potential as a tool for Chinese influence. The very nature of its work—cultivating close relationships with influential figures—touches directly on core issues of soft power and data sovereignty.
European lawmakers have been increasingly vocal about the potential risks posed by the platform, with some countries moving to ban the app on government devices. This discovery of a secretive operation focused on influencer relations will undoubtedly fuel further debate in Brussels and other European capitals about the need for stricter oversight of the tech giant.
The full implications of TikTok's Madrid manoeuvre are yet to be seen, but it firmly places Spain on the map as a new, significant battleground in the global struggle for tech influence and control.
