Thread by @btrembly

I run a law firm.

Last week I spent 5 hours digging into TikTok’s terms of service.

What I found absolutely terrified me.

Here’s a breakdown of what you’re actually handing over when you install TikTok (with receipts):

Everyone is talking about the TikTok ban, so I got curious about their privacy settings.

If you don't think TikTok has access to an absurd amount of your personal data, you're in for a wild ride...

But before that, a clip on how kids use TikTok in the US compared to China:

First, what exactly can TikTok access on your phone?

According to researchers at Proofpoint, the permissions include:

• Your GPS location
• Device information
• Full camera access
• Your entire contact list
• Full microphone access ...

But it gets weirder.

TikTok can:

• Access your WiFi connection details
• Read and write to your device's storage
• Request additional installation packages
• Automatically start itself when your device restarts

That's...a lot.

Here's what TikTok sends back to their servers:

• Your timezone
• Your longitude and latitude
• Android ID/IMEI (unique device identifiers)
• Device carrier region
• Network code
• Connection type
• Everything in your address book

All this for just dancing videos 😳

TikTok vs other social platforms:

Instagram collects: Location, contacts, content, usage

Facebook collects: Location, contacts, content, browsing, purchase history

TikTok collects ALL of those PLUS deeper device data.

So where does all this data go?

TikTok says U.S. data stays in the U.S. with backups in Singapore.

But multiple investigations (e.g. leaked audio from over 80 internal TikTok meetings in 2022) revealed that U.S. user data was repeatedly accessed by engineers in China.

The biggest issue?

ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company, is based in China - where national security laws require companies to hand over data if the government asks.

This is why both Trump AND Biden administrations have pushed for restrictions.

Is banning TikTok the right approach? I don't know.

I've always been paranoid for downloading certain apps.

But I feel education is better than bans. For adults 18+, you should be able to decide for yourself - with full knowledge of what you're signing away.

For kids? That's another conversation entirely.

What can you do to protect yourself?

1) Limit app permissions through your phone settings
2) Turn off precise location
3) Don't give contact access
4) Use a VPN when using the app
5) Consider using it on a separate device if you're really concerned

Remember - social media is a trade.

You get entertainment in exchange for your data.

The question is whether you're comfortable with how much data you're trading - and with who.

Frankly, I think TikTok should be treated like any social media app:

It can be used safely if you're aware of the information it gathers and what it does with that data.

The difference is most people never read what they agree to.

If this thread made you think…

Follow me @btrembly for more interesting legal crackdowns like this one.

Like/Repost the quote below to share with a friend:

https://twitter.com/47693890/status/1917612823150227914