As a data-sharing video app, Tiktok permits users to share and create videos on different topics. TikTok users can also use in-app effects like stickers, background music, and filters to create these videos. Presently, TikTok has over 3.5 billion downloads worldwide. Also, about one-third of TikTok users primarily consist of people between the ages of 16-30.
TikTok was established in 2016 in China as Douyin. It was established by a Chinese Technology Company called ByteDance, but it was only accessible within China. By 2017, it was released to tech markets outside China. Maintaining separate networks, Douyin and Tiktok use the same software in order to comply with Chinese censorship restrictions. The app is open to Android and iOS users via the Google Play Store and App Store.
It is pretty unlucky for the developers of TikTok because the app has been the subject of data security and concerns like many other social networks but just a few notches higher. This piece will explain everything about TikTok data security and privacy. Read on!
TikTok Data Collection
TikTok gathers data about your search history, messages, IP address, and location, just like Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and other social media platforms. It also gathers device identifiers that monitor your engagements with advertisers and also tracks your interactions with advertisers. It also collects your social contacts and phone if you offer access. Also, it has access to your photos and videos.
TikTok, like other social media platforms, uses this data to offer entertaining contents that will make you stay glued to the app. TikTok, like other social media platforms, also makes a profit by displaying advertising content, so it makes use of perfect ads, which makes them extremely valuable.
The TikTok privacy policy states that it does not sell user information. Though the company also states that it may send users’ data to its data centers outside the user’s location for processing and storage. Also, it states that these data will be shared, including parties outside the users’ jurisdiction.
TikTok is lucid with data collection regarding security and privacy. Nevertheless, when you use an app, always have in mind that security guidelines and privacy policies could change, which could leave your device vulnerable and data exposed. Therefore, resist over-sharing and over-trusting with apps that take privacy and security for granted.
Should I Be Concerned About Chinese Data Collection Regarding TikTok?
If you have been wondering about how much data TikTok collects, well, the answer is “a lot,” just like every other social media account. According to TikTok’s privacy policy, just downloading the app alone without creating an account collects your browsing history, mobile carrier, IP address, and location data.
A recent study describing massive volumes of user data gathered by TikTok has ignited privacy anxieties regarding the video app, which the Chinese technology company, ByteDance, owns. The app collects data on other apps on the phone, hypothetically providing an image of the user’s device. It constantly checks the user’s device location, and it has access to the user’s contacts and calendar. Also, the app collects Wi-Fi SSID data, IMEI numbers, serial numbers, SIM cards, and MAC addresses, including other identifying data.
Four years ago, a research discovered multiple cyber risks, which include risks that allow cyber attackers to erase user videos and upload confidential videos. These researchers worked hand-in-hand with the TikTik security team, and the public is assured that the vulnerabilities have been fixed.
Furthermore, in 2020, some security experts revealed that some TikTok versions for iOS and Andriod depend on HTTP connections. Although, for the app, without the use of HTTP connections, cyber criminals will be given free access to track the user’s activity and even make changes to the user’s account without the user’s knowledge. Though the TikTok team has affirmed that it will be resolved soon, that isn’t good enough, especially when it concerns cybersecurity.
Why Does US Worry Over TikTok Data Collection?
The US government thinks TikTok poses a security risk because it is possible to share sensitive American data with the Chinese government, primarily because TikTok collects a large amount of data. They also worry that the data could be weaponized and can be used against Americans. Furthermore, the US officials believe that it can also be used to spy on Americans and craft misinformation to cause chaos to undermine the US administration. Despite all these allegations, TikTok has constantly affirmed that it could never do that.
Is It Safe For Kids To Use TikTok?
If you supervise your kids well enough, it will be totally safe for your kids to have an account with TikTok. Though Tik-Tok is full of mature content, it also has a children’s section for kids below 18 years. Tiktok also has a marketing strategy that encourages kids to buy products just like other social media platforms.
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