TikTok has become a global phenomenon: over a billion active users, an endless stream of short videos, viral trends, and a unique algorithmic feed that can adapt to everyone’s interests. But along with the staggering success comes some serious questions, the main one being, how safe is it to use TikTok?
Since 2020, TikTok’s safety has become the subject of heated international debate. The app has been accused of collecting excessive amounts of user data, potentially passing information to the Chinese government, censoring content, and even manipulating public opinion. These accusations have formed the basis of lawsuits, government investigations, and legislative initiatives to limit or outright ban TikTok in several countries.
In this article, we’ll go into detail about how exactly TikTok collects and uses its users’ data, what potential cybersecurity threats this poses, why geopolitical conflicts are erupting around the app, and what the opinions of digital security experts are. In addition, you will learn how to minimize risks if you continue using the platform in the context of increased attention to privacy issues.
How TikTok Works: A Brief Overview
TikTok is not just an app for short videos. It is a high-tech platform built on powerful machine-learning algorithms and deep analysis of user behavior. It belongs to the Chinese technology corporation ByteDance, and in a short period, has become one of the most downloaded and influential apps in the world.
The platform’s centerpiece is the personalized For You Page (or FYP). It’s a dynamic stream of content that adapts to each user. But how does TikTok decide which videos to show you?
Algorithmic recommendation system
TikTok algorithms study:
- Which videos do you watch to the end?
- Which ones do you scroll right through?
- What do you like?
- What do you comment on?
- What accounts do you subscribe to?
- What sounds, hashtags, and themes do you like?
- How fast or slow do you scroll through a video?
In addition, the video metadata itself is considered: category, description, audio track, hashtags, author’s location, etc. This forms a “behavioral profile” – a digital fingerprint on which TikTok constantly adjusts the content output.
The algorithm does not just adjust – it actively experiments. It “throws up” new types of content to see how you respond to them. This makes TikTok so “addictive”: you feel like the feed knows you better than you do.
Data Collection: What Does TikTok Know About You?
TikTok collects massive data to implement personalized giveaways and run internal analytics systems. Here are the main types of information to which it has access:
1. Geolocation:
TikTok can track your location using GPS, Wi-Fi, mobile network, and Bluetooth data. This allows them to:
- Determine which region you are in.
- Show content relevant to your country.
- Collect movement data (including background, if enabled).
2. IP address:
An IP address provides insight into your approximate location, connection type, internet service provider, and even the devices on your local network.
3. Device information:
TikTok gathers:
- Device model and type.
- Operating system version.
- Unique device identifiers (for example, IDFA or Android ID).
- Language settings.
- Battery level, charging connection.
- Apps and processes in use.
4. Search and browsing history:
Every interaction you make is recorded. Even if you don’t give a like or write a comment, the very fact of watching a video, its duration, and your reaction to it are saved and analyzed.
5. Time stamps:
TikTok records exactly when you open the app, how much time you spend on it, what time you watch certain videos, and how often you return to them.
6. Biometric information:
According to TikTok’s privacy policy (especially in the US), it may collect:
- Data about your face (e.g., for emotion recognition).
- Voice data.
- Gait characteristics, if the video is analyzed in this aspect.
This data could be used not only for content filtering but also for personality recognition and analysis of emotional reactions to the video.
7. Drafts and unsent messages:
TikTok saves drafts of videos even if you don’t post them. The app can also keep track of the text you type in descriptions, comments, and messages, even if you haven’t posted them.
Implicit data collection
It is essential to realize that TikTok is capable of:
- Tracking actions in other apps and browsers via the SDK and pixels.
- Collecting data from the clipboard – for example, if you copy text.
- Accessing Bluetooth-connected devices.
- Analyzing audio during recording (e.g., who is talking nearby or what sounds are heard).
What Does TikTok Say in Its Defense?
Despite the wave of criticism, TikTok and parent company ByteDance have repeatedly issued statements in defense of their platform, trying to show the transparency of their policies and compliance with international standards.
- Compliance with international data security regulations:
TikTok emphasizes that it complies with generally accepted standards for protecting personal information, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in Europe and the CCPA laws in California. The company says it does not transfer data to the Chinese government or use it for espionage purposes. All requests for user data are handled in accordance with local laws.
- European Data Center (EU Data Center):
In 2023, TikTok officially opened a data center in Ireland that serves users from the European Union. This was one step toward “digital sovereignty,” ensuring that European data is stored and processed exclusively in the EU. According to the company’s assurances, it limits third parties’ access to sensitive information.
- Project Texas: a U.S. data localization initiative:
TikTok has launched Project Texas, a project developed in cooperation with Oracle Corporation in response to growing pressure from the US authorities. The essence of the initiative is to create a secure data storage infrastructure in the US and control access to it exclusively by US personnel. Oracle received the right to monitor and audit TikTok’s program code to exclude interference from China.
- Content moderation and parental control features:
TikTok has rolled out a number of updates to improve users’ safety, especially teenagers. Among them:
- Limiting nightly notifications for users under 18.
- Automatic private account setup for users under 16.
- Enhanced parental control settings through Family Pairing.
- Soft moderation involving automatic hiding of potentially objectionable content.
The company is also investing in digital literacy and psychosocial support programs to mitigate the overuse of the platform.
Conclusion
TikTok’s safety is not an unequivocal yes or no. It’s a matter of the level of risk you are willing to accept. The app does offer unique opportunities for creativity and fun, but it can also be a tool for collecting data and influencing behavior.
If you decide to stay on TikTok, do so consciously. And if you’re a parent, set up parental controls and talk to your kids about digital hygiene.
