A hugely popular video-sharing social media app, TikTok is under scrutiny from governments around the world, primarily due to data privacy and national security concerns. The US, France, UK, Belgium, New Zealand and the top three EU bodies (parliaments, commissions and councils) have already banned his use of TikTok on staff devices, with Australia now on the list. It is the newest country to join.
Australian Attorney General’s Office issues notice saying TikTok poses significant security and privacy risks due to its data collection practices and “subject to extrajudicial directives from foreign governments that conflict with Australian law” Did. Attorney General Mark Dreyfuss said the ban would go into effect “as soon as practicable.”
The ban on TikTok from Australian government devices means that all Five Eyes member countries, including Australia, Canada, the US, UK and New Zealand, have imposed some restrictions on the app. These limits may seem trivial to the average user, but one question arises. If it’s not safe enough for civil servants, is it safe enough for you?
Why are governments around the world banning TikTok?
Governments around the world cite national security risks as a common reason for banning TikTok. One of our main concerns is the amount of data TikTok collects from its users. TikTok collects a huge amount of user data (which means a lot of data here). The company clarifies in its privacy policy that it may collect information such as account and profile information, user messages, device information, location data, biometric information, and even contact lists.
And since TikTok is owned by Chinese company ByteDance, the government is concerned whether the company has shared (or was forced to share) data with the Chinese government. Governments around the world fear that apps could be used for espionage and foreign influence activities, putting government officials and their communications at risk. We are concerned that it may jeopardize the security and privacy of those in the position of
TikTok’s response to the ban
[TikTok’s] american data [is] kept on American soil by an American company supervised by Americans
TikTok denies all claims it shares data with the Chinese government. At a Harvard Business Review conference in early April 2023, TikTok CEO Shou Chew said, “The Chinese government has never actually asked for his data from a US user.” . He also added, “Even if we asked for it, we wouldn’t provide it.”
“ByteDance is not an agent for China or any other country,” Chew said at the conference. He said, “There is an inaccurate belief that TikTok’s corporate structure is indebted to the Chinese government or that it shares information about US users with the Chinese government. This is clearly not true. Conclusion Here is: [TikTok’s] american data [is] Stored on American soil by an American company supervised by Americans. “
TikTok claims to use the data it collects to improve the user experience.The company uses data to better understand user behavior and preferences to improve the relevance and effectiveness of its advertising and marketing. It says it will.
Is TikTok really a national security risk?
Governments that have banned TikTok list it as a threat to national security, whether it’s on government devices or on every inhabitant of the country. China has laws that could compel ByteDance to share data with the government, and although the company denies having or will share data with the Chinese government, it has no way of verifying it.
According to researchers cited by CNN, TikTok’s data collection and usage is similar to other social media apps such as Facebook and Instagram. Whether this is a positive or negative aspect is subjective. But researchers say the TikTok app is neither inherently malicious nor a form of spyware, contrary to what many governments claim.
Is banning the answer?
Some might argue that banning TikTok is the right answer in case it poses a threat to national security, but the question is whether banning is the best solution. Talk of banning TikTok is often seen as an extreme measure, especially given the app’s popularity. Some even say that banning TikTok means the government is restricting freedom of speech and expression. It is a source of income, and banning the app could have a negative impact on the economy.
Rather than ban TikTok outright, the best way to handle this situation is for the government to work with big tech companies to regulate the app so that it is safe for users and does not pose a threat to national security. These measures could include data encryption, transparency in data collection, storage and use, regular audits, or whatever the government deems necessary.
However, regulation and TikTok are long topics of discussion in their own right. Many governments are working with TikTok to ensure data privacy. In the meantime, however, there are some actions users can take to protect their privacy online.
what can you do
Here are some tips you can follow to protect your privacy on TikTok.
- TikTok has a guest mode where you can watch videos without signing in. This mode restricts certain features, such as the ability to like videos or send messages, but provides anonymity so you can browse content without revealing your identity.
- You have the option to restrict TikTok’s access to your contacts and locations by changing the app’s permissions in your device settings. Doing so will prevent the app from collecting sensitive information and using it for targeted advertising or other purposes.
- TikTok collects a large amount of user data, so to protect your privacy and security, consider limiting the personal information you share on the app, such as emails and phone numbers.
- Also consider turning off advertising personalization on TikTok. This limits the amount of data collected about your preferences and behavior.This is in the app settings[プライバシーと安全性]can be done with
- Finally, you should consider using a VPN while scrolling on TikTok. Using a VPN adds an extra layer of security and makes it harder to track your data.
Finally, the question is: Is TikTok safe? While the app may not be suitable for those who work with confidential or sensitive data, such as government officials, regular users can understand and accept the potential risks. You can continue using the app. If you are concerned about your personal data being accessed or misused, we recommend that you limit your use of TikTok or completely reconsider your use of the app.
image source: Unsplash
