As someone who has worked in cloud data security for over a decade, I‘m often asked if the viral video app TikTok poses a serious risk for user privacy. With its meteoric rise to over 1 billion monthly active users, TikTok has access to an enormous amount of personal data. But does this make it inherently dangerous to use? Let‘s dive in.
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The Massive Reach of TikTok
To fully understand TikTok‘s privacy implications, we first need to grasp just how massive its userbase is. As of 2024, TikTok has around 1.5 billion monthly active users – that‘s more than giants like Facebook and Instagram! Among the Gen Z demographic, a whopping 67% are on TikTok. With those kinds of numbers, TikTok can gather data at a scale rivaling any tech company on earth.
An Ocean of User Information
So what exactly is TikTok collecting from its billions of users? According to its privacy policy, it gathers a vast ocean of info:
- Personal details like names, emails, ages, phone numbers and more
- Every video, message, comment, image created and shared
- Credit card numbers and purchase history
- Precise location data from things like tagged posts
- Device details like operating systems and settings
- Biometric data including faceprints and voiceprints (with consent)
- Browsing history across third-party platforms
Additionally, TikTok automatically tracks usage patterns through cookies, metadata, IP addresses, and more. As a cybersecurity expert, I can tell you this gives TikTok extraordinary insight into user behaviors, interests, and habits.
How Is All This Data Used?
TikTok claims that user data is primarily leveraged to provide customized advertising, improve app experiences, promote safety, and prevent fraud. To ease data privacy concerns, TikTok now stores US user information on American servers controlled by TikTok‘s US-based team.
However, experts note that TikTok employees in China were able to access US user data in the past, highlighting insider risks. In my experience, insider threats are a top data vulnerability for any company.
TikTok vs. Other Social Networks
So how does TikTok compare to other social media platforms when it comes to data collection? Experts agree its practices are highly similar to competitors like Facebook and Instagram.
However, TikTok‘s China-based parent company ByteDance has faced scrutiny from US officials. While no specific security flaws have been found, TikTok‘s ownership does spook some privacy advocates.
For the average user, TikTok likely poses comparable risks to other popular social networks used by billions. But users with high-level privacy concerns may want to delete it.
5 Ways to Protect Your Privacy on TikTok
As a cybersecurity professional, I recommend TikTok users take the following steps to better safeguard their personal data:
1. Make Your Account Private
This ensures only approved followers see your content. Head to Settings > Privacy and toggle on "Private Account".
2. Use Strong Password Practices
Always opt for long, complex passwords to prevent hacking. Consider a password manager app as well.
3. Limit Data Sharing
Disable settings like "Suggest Your Account" and review all app permissions closely. Only share what‘s needed.
4. Use a Trusted VPN (Virtual Private Network)
A VPN encrypts your traffic and masks your IP address and location. I recommend ExpressVPN for TikTok.
5. Practice Good Security Hygiene
Always keep TikTok updated and use antivirus software on your devices for defense against malware. Enable two-factor authentication as well.
The Bottom Line
At the end of the day, TikTok requires users to trust how it handles their data, much like Facebook, Google and others. While its collection practices aren‘t necessarily worse, its ownership does raise some specific concerns.
For most individuals, taking key privacy precautions makes using TikTok reasonably safe in my professional opinion. However, users comfortable sharing limited personal data are wise to avoid TikTok and other social networks altogether. As with all online activities, vigilance about security is a must.
