iOS14 reveals that TikTok may snoop clipboard contents every few keystrokes (twitter.com)

Article summary

The article discusses how iOS 14 reveals that TikTok may be accessing clipboard contents every few keystrokes, raising concerns about user privacy. The issue is related to how iOS handles clipboard permissions, with some apps checking for clipboard content to enable or disable the 'Paste' option. This has led to a discussion about the potential risks and consequences of such behavior. The exact implications and motivations behind TikTok's actions are unclear.

Main themes

• clipboard permissions
• user privacy
• app permissions
• data protection
• iOS security
• TikTok controversy

What commenters say

• Some users are concerned that apps like TikTok may be accessing sensitive information from the clipboard without their knowledge or consent.
• The iOS clipboard permission system is flawed, as it does not differentiate between checking for the presence of clipboard content and actually accessing it.
• Implementing a 'peek' API that allows apps to check if the clipboard is empty without revealing its contents could be a potential solution.
• Others argue that the risk of clipboard snooping is low and that users should focus on using two-factor authentication and password managers to protect their sensitive information.
• There are valid use cases for clipboard access, and a setting to manually approve clipboard interactivity could be a good compromise.
• Some commenters believe that TikTok's behavior is a clear violation of user privacy, while others think it may be an honest mistake or a legitimate design choice.
• The discussion highlights the need for clearer guidelines and regulations around app permissions and user data protection.
• A few commenters suggest that the issue may be related to the app's intentions and the potential for data collection and surveillance.