Now one of the biggest social media platforms, TikTok has made a name for itself with people of all ages.
The platform is owned by ByteDance, a company based out of Beijing. With its booming popularity, particularly with the younger audience, people were concerned about the app’s level of safety.
TikTok – along with Facebook, Twitter, and Google – has been fined due to their failure to delete content that has been deemed banned in the country.
There are safety concerns for users; in particular, app safety for children.
General Safety Concerns
Overall, TikTok is a safe app to use. In terms of cybersecurity, the app is nowhere near the top of the list. People would have a higher chance of experiencing credit card fraud or identity theft before having their information hacked on the app.
TikTok poses no more of a threat than any other social media channel out there. The risk involved has more to do with data mining and device permissions.
All apps collect a variety of information from users. Apparently, TikTok has access to collect over 50 different types of data from people starting as young as 13 years old.
Information such as gender, age, the content of messages, email addresses, and much more are being used for advertising and marketing purposes – something everyone agrees to upon signing up for the app. Some aspects, such as the use of a microphone and video, are required while others are not.
For the average user, TikTok is generally safe and poses no threat. It’s a matter of how you personally view matters of privacy in your personal life that would make the difference.
If you’ve personally used any of the social media apps over the last ten years, you’re openly susceptible to the same general privacy concerns as on TikTok.
Recent Fines Against TikTok
The app is expected to pay around a 4 million rouble penalty, according to Russian news reporters. TikTok is also currently banned in India as they stated the app is “prejudicial to sovereignty and integrity of India, defense of India, security of the state and public order.”
The Trump Administration had even started putting the work into motion to potentially ban the United States’ app. President Biden himself said the app was “a matter of genuine concern.”
With so many concerns of TikTok teetering on the edge of safety concerns around the world, it requires us to ask the question as to whether or not the same applies to the United States.
National Security
It’s uncertain as to whether or not TikTok poses any major threat towards matters of national security. Supposedly, the company stated the collection of data of U.S. citizens is only happening within their U.S. headquarters.
This means they’re withholding this information from the Chinese government. Speculation has shown otherwise, which is why the debate is still open.
How to Keep Ourselves Safe
It’s important to acknowledge what types of permissions you’re allowing the app to have. Go through your settings and remove the ones you don’t feel comfortable with while still being able to use TikTok.
Otherwise, you have the option to delete your account and not use the app altogether. This is difficult for people with businesses who utilize social media to generate revenue and brand awareness.
Summary
All in all, TikTok isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. It’s said there are over 1 billion users worldwide, and it’s projected to generate over $1 billion in revenue by the end of 2021.
It’s a completely valid concern of any business, individual, or parent to be worried about the privacy happening within the app. Unfortunately, it’s the responsibility of the user to educate themselves and take control of the data and permission settings.
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