TikTok
Summary
TikTok is a mobile video app that allows you to edit video clips together and align them with music or other sounds. These videos can then be shared with friend and the rest of the TikTok community. The app can be downloaded for free from the App Store.
Breach History
Has there ever been a breach or data leak?
Date of last breach
August 2020
A database breach had exposed hundreds of millions of profiles on Tik Tok, Instagram, Facebook, and more. This breach contained personal information such as name, contact information, statistics, and more. Supposedly around 42 million account records were scraped from TikTok.
Privacy Checklist
Is any kind of biometric data collected (health, heart, voice, etc.)?
Are you able to delete your data / the data collected about you?
Does it use cookies, telemetry, or third-party tracking scripts?
Is the privacy policy user-friendly (easy to understand)?
Does it have parental controls?
Does it use encryption to protect your data both in-transit and at-rest?
Does it get regular software and / or firmware updates?
Does it require you to create a strong password?
Is there a system in place for managing security vulnerabilities?
Does it have a privacy policy?
How Can It Snoop?
Does it have a camera or request / require access to a camera?
Does it have a microphone or request / require access to a microphone?
Does it track your location or request / require access to location data?
Account Requirements
Does it require an email address to use?
Does it require a phone number to use?
Does it require an address (home or office) to use?
Payment Options
Are you able to use a credit card as a payment option?
Are you able to use a cryptocurrency as a payment option?
Are you able to use PayPal as a payment option?
Are you able to use cash or gift cards as a payment option?
What Could Go Wrong?
TikTok collects a variety of information from your account such as age, email, phone number, payment information, phone and social network contacts, user-generated content, IP address and other location data, and more. This information may be shared with service providers and business partners, or within ByteDance's corporate group. ByteDance is also based in China, where privacy is not considered a priority, so it is possible any information provided to TikTok may be used for more nefarious purposes. Be aware of these risks before using this app.
How Does It Share Your Data?
ByteDance may share your information with service providers, business partners, their corporate group, or for legal reasons.
Good Things
- Easy way to share videos and connect with friends.
Bad Things
- Serious privacy concerns.
- Bug bounty program.
Final Thoughts
Even though Tik Tok is growing in popularity everyday, the concern surrounding their privacy policies are growing as well. Tik Tok holds personal information and has the ability to share your information with anyone they wish, such as service providers, business partners, etc. So be wary of using this app.