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April 18, 2024

Who hasn’t had a TikTok video texted or emailed by a friend or family member directing us to watch them on our current web browser? Even if you don’t have a TikTok account, it leaves you vulnerable.

Bellamarie M, who regularly watches TikTok videos outside of the app, wrote me to worry about this:

“None of our devices have a TikTok app, but my husband uses Facebook and occasionally watches TikTok videos, mostly from his phone. Can his data/usage be captured by viewing only, or does it need to be on the device being used Installing the app? We do have a security app on our phone that scans for security questions, but would like your opinion on this.”

We really have to be careful when it comes to our personal information on social media, especially when it comes to TikTok. You see, TikTok is owned by a Chinese company, ByteDance, which is required by law to provide the data and information they collect to the Chinese government immediately upon notice. TikTok’s fairly advanced algorithm can easily track your search history, making me wonder how much the Chinese government knows about those of us who use TikTok.

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We really have to be careful when it comes to our personal information on social media, especially when it comes to TikTok.
(Kurt Knudsen)

Will TikTok follow you outside of the app?

Bellamarie M’s concerns are justified, as TikTok is known to be a greater threat to personal privacy and security than any other social media app available today. TikTok is known for tracking the behavior of all users, namely the types of videos they watch, like and share.

Indiana blocks TikTok from state devices, joins 19 other states in legislating against the app

Here are a few things you should keep in mind when answering Bellamarie’s question about watching TikTok videos on Facebook:

1) Occasionally, you will see a video playing with the “TikTok” logo exist Facebook. If you’re watching this video on Facebook, it’s probably a pull-up video that lives on Facebook. This extracted video is not connected to TikTok; therefore, TikTok cannot track you in any capacity.

2) You may see a thumbnail in Facebook with a play icon and a gray bar below it indicating the source is TikTok. If you tap that play icon, it will take you to the TikTok web page or app.

Now, if you have a TikTok account and you’re taken to your login page or app to watch this, some tracking happens.

Example of how a TikTok video appeared on Facebook.

Example of how a TikTok video appeared on Facebook.
(Kurt Knudsen)

However, suppose you are not logged into your TikTok account and are taken to a TikTok page where you are not logged in to watch a video.In this case, TikTok may still follow you.

GREENWALD calls on TIKTOK to censor on behalf of the US government, not just China

according to a Consumer Reports Research, TikTok does track certain information when you use the app or website, such as your IP address and opt-in browsing history, whether or not you are logged into your TikTok account. However, a spokesperson confirmed that they are only tracking people without TikTok accounts for “aggregated reporting” and not to serve ads to them – but to “improve” the effectiveness of TikTok’s own ad service by checking their likes and dislikes sex.

What information does TikTok collect?

As far as we know, TikTok is not trying to hack into your bank account or tamper with your Social Security. Instead, they determine your interests, likes, and dislikes based on your behavior in apps and on the Internet.

Lawmakers ramp up warnings on TIKTOK, call for nationwide ban: ‘It’s digital fentanyl’

Through pixels, other companies can use this information shared with TikTok for promotional purposes. If you only watch TikTok videos on other platforms (such as Facebook or Instagram) and never created a TikTok account, they have access to far less information than other platforms.

Through pixels, other companies can use this information shared with TikTok for promotional purposes.

Through pixels, other companies can use this information shared with TikTok for promotional purposes.
(Kurt Knudsen)

Use TikTok at your own risk

All concerns about using TikTok are certainly understandable, and while it may be overwhelming for some, remember that if you are going to use TikTok, the smartest thing to do is to limit the amount of content TikTok can access from you. as much information as possible.

As ‘Ban TIKTOK’ calls grow louder, Twitter arms: ‘Trump is right’

These settings limit how much information TikTok can get from you

  • Disable sharing your contacts and Facebook friends with TikTok
  • Disable personalized ad targeting
  • keep your personal data anonymous
  • Restrict people from finding you.
  • Keep your account private by clicking Profile -> then menu bar -> then Settings and Privacy -> then click. privacy-> then open a private account
Find out how to adjust all your privacy settings on TikTok by searching "Privacy on TikTok" Click on the magnifying glass icon at the top of CyberGuy.com.

Click the magnifying glass icon at the top of CyberGuy.com and search for “privacy on TikTok” to learn how to adjust all your privacy settings on TikTok.
(Kurt Knudsen)

Click the magnifying glass icon at the top of CyberGuy.com and search for “privacy on TikTok” to learn how to adjust all your privacy settings on TikTok.

Find out what TikTok knows about you

Anyone with a TikTok account has the right to request all data TikTok collects from them. to do this:

  • Launch the TikTok app
  • Go to your profile in the bottom right and click the three-line menu in the top right
  • Click Settings & Privacy > Privacy > Click Download Your Data
  • TikTok will send you a link to download your data in a few days
  • Links expire 4 days after they are sent

Joe Rogan slams TIKTOK: ‘It ends with China owning all your data’

Remember, TikTok is collecting a lot of data that could be used against you later. The more you use TikTok, the more they understand what caused your reaction. TikTok learns and records which videos grab your attention the most, and which videos you interact with or like. It just takes communist China to decide to take over TikTok to provide you with propaganda. The scariest part is you’ll never know it’s happening.

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