Participants give various reasons for using social media to spread information, such as the desire to define themselves, build and maintain relationships, and spread awareness of products and issues they find appealing or worthwhile. Due to these elements, social media platforms have changed from being a convenient method of keeping in touch with friends and family to being put to use in approaches that have a meaningful impact on society. Social media usage impacts various things, including politics, business, global culture, education, careers, and innovation.
TikTok is arguably the most widely used news source, although it has been at the center of numerous rumors of privacy violations and security difficulties. Users of this free social media platform and app can post brief movies that last between 15 and 60 seconds. Similar to most privately owned social media platforms, TikTok gathers user data and statistics. This tool is criticized for going too far and endangering its users’ privacy and security since it is well-known that “user data can be sold to other companies and that privacy is not guaranteed when using social media” (Zulkifli, 2022, p. 78). Due to this, both private businesses and US government agencies forbade employees from downloading and using the app on company-issued smartphones. And, since it posed a threat to national security, it was prohibited in India and by the US Army and Navy. The platform has many issues, including data theft, privacy invasion, and security vulnerabilities.
When a person downloads TikTok, they need to accept a set of permissions for the app to work. Access to the microphone, camera, contacts, location services, and clipboard are among them. According to TikTok’s privacy statement, the app gathers “information you provide in the context of composing, sending, or receiving messages” (2022). Focusing on the phrase “composing,” TikTok collects content one makes or writes but does not share, in addition to the data and messages one posts via the app. According to static analysis, the application uses permissions far beyond what is necessary, and several were found to be high risk. This indicates that there is a possibility that the program may upload or implant user data for undesired uses. However, TikTok is not the only app that raises this issue. This feature is present in many related programs, including those created by Microsoft, Apple, and other well-known software businesses.
The way that data is saved and may be shared on TikTok is another issue many users are concerned about. The privacy dangers posed by TikTok are similar to the risks posed by the other top social media businesses for the average customer. All of these platforms are monetizing the data, at least in part. Additionally, they might earn more money the more data they have. This creates a compelling inspiration to gather as much data as possible proactively. Any software that can track location, record faces, and discern preferences raises questions about data storage. Users want more information about the rights and contracts they can agree to with a single click and to know who has access to their data and where it is kept. Users of TikTok should be aware that the data is not stored on the app’s servers or within the app itself. Therefore, “investigating potential detrimental aspects are scarce, but will be important” (Montag et al., 2021, p. 4).
Thirdly, although there is little evidence to support the significant assertions of national security hazards made in 2020, some users are divided regarding the alignment and intents of the app creators. To address these worries about loyalty, TikTok has been extremely open about implementing new policies and making other modifications. TikTok serves as a partial scapegoat for a more significant problem because everyone fears cyber security holes, hacking, facial recognition, location monitoring, malware, and other potentially intrusive technologies. The situation has been made more difficult since security organizations and significant businesses forbid their staff from using the app. Although several companies have relaxed these limitations, the app’s reputation has suffered greatly. Politicians and decision-makers raised concerns about personal safety and called for an investigation.
In conclusion, although several vulnerabilities can be considered worrying, TikTok has demonstrated a desire to fix these issues promptly. In the end, these flaws appear to be more like the growing pains most software businesses go through than a deliberate attempt to put users at risk, but caution is still advised. Even though the vast majority of TikTok users probably don’t have any private information or anything of relevance to other countries on their phones. Users should be aware of the app’s vulnerabilities, data-gathering policies, and other risks before using it. There is potential for a dangerous concoction of blind agreement, bewilderment, and trust, especially given the age demographic trends of the app. TikTok is still developing and remains a relatively new software in many ways, leaving politics and national security aside. Any data supplied, whether voluntarily or not, has the potential to end up in the wrong hands, regardless of the platform. As with any online activity, it is also crucial to recognize the hazards and protect one’s personal information appropriately.
References
Montag, C., Yang, H., & Elhai, J. D. (2021). On the Psychology of TikTok Use: A First Glimpse From Empirical Findings.Frontiers in Public Health, 9, pp. 1-6. Web.
TikTok’s Privacy Policy. (2022). Web.
Zulkifli, A (2022). TikTok in 2022: Revisiting Data and Privacy.IEEE Computer Society Digital Library, 5, pp. 77-80. Web.