Is TikTok Still Stealing Your Information in 2021?
In recent years, TikTok has become one of the most popular social media platforms among the younger generation. However, concerns about privacy and data security have always haunted the platform. While TikTok has promised to improve its security measures, the question remains – is TikTok still stealing your information in 2021? Let’s find out.
Background on TikTok
TikTok is a popular social media platform owned by ByteDance, a Chinese company. It allows users to create short, entertaining videos set to music and share them with their followers. The app has gained immense popularity around the world, especially during the pandemic, where people were stuck at home and looking for new ways to entertain themselves.
However, since TikTok is owned by a Chinese company, many concerns have been raised about data security and how much data TikTok is collecting from its users. In 2020, former US President Donald Trump even attempted to ban the app, citing national security concerns. Although the ban didn’t go through, it raised questions about TikTok’s privacy policies.
What Data Does TikTok Collect?
Like all social media platforms, TikTok collects a significant amount of data from its users. This data includes the user’s location, device information, IP address, and browsing and search history. TikTok also collects data on user’s interactions with the app, including the videos they watch, the hashtags they follow, and the comments they leave.
The most concerning part is that TikTok collects this data even when the app is not in use. The app’s privacy policy states that it may continue collecting data even when the app is closed, and the user has not given explicit consent to do so.
What Has TikTok Done to Improve Its Security Measures?
TikTok has stated that it takes data privacy and security very seriously. In response to the concerns raised by the US government and other organizations, TikTok has taken several measures to improve its security.
In 2020, TikTok announced it had hired a team of data privacy experts to review its policies and practices. The company also set up a “Transparency Center” where outside experts can review and audit its policies.
The app has also implemented several security features, such as allowing users to control who can view their content and disallowing the download of videos posted by users under the age of 16. Additionally, it has implemented measures to detect and remove inappropriate content, such as hate speech and bullying.
Should You Still Be Concerned?
Despite TikTok’s efforts to improve its data security measures, concerns still linger. The fact that TikTok collects data even when the app is not in use is a significant red flag. Additionally, the app is owned by a Chinese company, which raises concerns about data being sent to the Chinese government.
It’s important to remember that no social media platform can be completely trusted with our data. The only way to ensure our data is protected is to limit the amount of personal information we share online and to be vigilant about monitoring our privacy settings.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while TikTok has taken measures to improve its data security and privacy policies, it’s still important to be cautious about the data we share online. TikTok is not alone in collecting a vast amount of data from its users, and it’s up to us to take responsibility for securing our data and protecting our privacy.
(Note: Do you have knowledge or insights to share? Unlock new opportunities and expand your reach by joining our authors team. Click Registration to join us and share your expertise with our readers.)