Every government organization that has banned TikTok from devices has cited security concerns. The main concern for each country is that the Chinese government could require ByteDance to hand over the data it collects about its users. Western governments are adamant that if the Chinese government can access user data, the security interests will be exposed.
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In TikTok’s privacy policyIt says that when you create an account, upload content, or interact with the platform in any way, TikTok can and will collect the following information:
- Any account and profile information (name, age, username, phone number, profile picture, email and password).
- Any user-generated content is uploaded to the app (audio recordings, photos, comments, and videos).
- Direct messages.
- Any information used to purchase something through the app (card number, name, information from a third-party payment app, billing and shipping address).
- your contacts.
- Your IP address, time zone, device ID, network type and device model.
- Your approximate location and, with your permission, your exact location.
Base on the research from the Georgia Institute of Technology Internet Governance Project, TikTok’s data collection is consistent with social networking industry standards. However, TikTok’s possible relationship with the Chinese government makes it worrisome.
While TikTok’s data collection techniques are common, if data collected on US users falls into the wrong hands, that’s enough information to fully study its digital footprint Surname.
The The US government also can and has access to user data from US-based technology companies such as Google, Meta, Microsoft, and Apple. However, US tech companies can deny or push back against government requests to access user data. To operate in China, Chinese tech companies must always turn over data to the government when required.
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Some governments worry about geopolitical consequences if the Chinese government accesses this much Western user data. This can be especially worrisome if government officials with control over sensitive and confidential information give out their personal data — and that’s why the ban on devices by Federal government level is being enforced.
