TikTok shares your data more than any other app and it’s unclear where it goes (cnbc.com)

Article summary

A study by URL Genius found that TikTok and YouTube track users' personal data more than any other social media apps, with TikTok allowing third-party trackers to collect data. The study used Apple's iOS feature to count network contacts across 10 social media apps and found that YouTube and TikTok had the highest number of network contacts. TikTok's data collection practices have raised concerns, particularly with regards to its ownership by Chinese tech giant ByteDance. The company has stated that it employs security measures to safeguard sensitive user data, but the study's findings have sparked debate about data privacy and security.

Main themes

• data privacy
• social media
• TikTok
• YouTube
• data security
• algorithmic bias

What commenters say

• TikTok's data collection practices are a concern due to its ownership by a Chinese company and potential for data to be transferred to Chinese servers.
• The algorithm used by TikTok is effective at suggesting content, but can also create an echo chamber that reinforces existing interests and biases.
• The perception that TikTok is only used by teenagers is outdated, and the platform has a diverse user base with varying interests and experiences.
• The concern about data privacy and security is not unique to TikTok, and all free apps have some method of benefiting the company, but the issue is more pronounced with TikTok due to its Chinese ownership.
• The recommendation algorithm used by TikTok is highly effective, but can also be seen as overfitting and committing users to a specific funnel of content.
• The platform's potential for political discourse and misinformation is a concern, particularly in countries where it has a significant user base.
• The issue of data harvesting and manipulation is not limited to TikTok, and other companies, including Google, have been caught engaging in similar practices.
• The debate around TikTok's data collection practices highlights the need for greater transparency and regulation of data privacy and security in the tech industry.