What Data Does TikTok Collect?

There's a lot of disagreement about whether TikTok is safe to use. It's not surprising, given that many US leaders, including the Secretary of State and the President, have previously issued statements warning users about the app. So, what exactly do you need to know about TikTok? Here's some information to help answer your questions about TikTok and the data it collects.

Here is a list of data TikTok collects on its users, including:

Videos that you watch, save, share
Videos you comment on
Your phone and location information
Data from the clipboard
Private messages and contacts
Any information you provide while registering for an account
Data derived from linked social media accounts

The main point of contention with TikTok is that it is originally controlled by a Chinese company, ByteDance. Many users are concerned about their privacy because of the international ties between the United States and China. Even though TikTok is now safer due to the US partnership, it can still collect the same data as before according to many experts.

What can TikTok do with the data it collects?

The most terrifying and annoying aspect of apps like TikTok is selling your information to a third party. Although TikTok claims not to sell your personal information to other parties, it reserves the right to share information gathered through its platform for business purposes. Here's a good moment to remember how Facebook formerly sold users' private data despite promises to the contrary. In addition, the other concern is Children's safety. Although TikTok officially required users at least 13 to access the app, many children created the account with a fake birthdate.TikTok issues for parents might include:

expose youngsters to adult contents
Anything their children post is publicly seen by everyone potentially
Strangers can send private messages, which means that children may get messages from individuals they don't know.

Conclusion

So, is TikTok safe? The answer is not always evident. Much of the worries surrounding TikTok have centered on national security concerns, but most users are unlikely to have sensitive material on their phones. Lastly, it comes down to being aware of data security and online privacy risks before making any personal decision.