2021-08-26T05:00:00Z
By Aysha Lewis
Tik Tok invades privacy on a whole new level.
Tik Tok claims not to sell information to third parties but admits to using collected data for business purposes. Tik Tok users can not escape having their IP address, geolocation, device identifiers, and search history automatically collected while using the app. Tik Tok’s privacy policies are similar to Instagram and Facebook but collect information that surpasses use for advertising. Users notice the outstanding amount of data collected and aren’t shy when vocalizing how intrusive the app has become. A well-known music artist named Grimes spoke on Tik Tok’s facial recognition, which utilizes Artificial Intelligence. This technology stores and creates a massive database of facial features and voices that could give them the ability to create deep fakes without people’s consent. It seems as though Tik Tok’s primary focus is keeping the app centered on sharing, which allows creators to build on trends from original content. Although users cannot see who has viewed or liked their content, the real connection comes from stitching and reacting to other people’s content. While this setup is the best for sharing, Tik Tok does not use personal data to choose which ads to display. Non-personalized data helps to keep many of the app’s features free. Like Instagram, Tik Tok can give in-depth statistics to users who want to know how many people are engaging with their content. By upgrading to a Pro Account and participating in the “Creator Marketplace,” content creators can access additional features that gauge how much their content is consumed.
Metadata helps Tik Tok recognize user details.
- Tracking your views and video preferences for a better ad experience
- Other users can find information that helps them trace content to the original user’s account.
- Cookies track when and how long someone viewed a web page and analyze which ads were clicked.
- Web beacons and flash cookies automatically collect information and can be turned off.
Customized content sets Tik Tok apart from the rest.
Another form of data other platforms don’t collect is imagery and audio information. Tik Tok stores this information as user content and uses objects and surroundings to tailor video effects, content recommendations, and moderate content. Data collected from images also include facial and body features that help to categorize user demographics. Audio data includes text and words spoken in a user’s content. Audio content and imagery are the main reason many users with a large following are de-platformed for creating content deemed politically incorrect and triggers other users. Recently, a well-known aspiring actress and social media personality Courtney Taylor was banned for her content covering a range of topics, including race, politics, and random inquiries of human morality. Most of her followers agree with her viewpoints, so her removal was likely triggered by Tik Tok using audio data to deem her content as unfit and suspend her account.
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User rights on Tik Tok
Tik Tok does not make it easy for an individual to obtain the data collected on them. Users may request to access and delete this information. If desired, a user may email a legal department of Tik Tok to ask for all the data stored about them. It takes a few weeks to receive, but the user is not notified when the information is provided, and it expires after four days. The user is required to submit a request from the email verified under their account. A legal representative is also an acceptable way to request this information, but the user should be prepared to show proof of identity for all persons involved.
Linked below are previous articles on Privacy on Instagram and Facebook.
