TikTok's latest update has users walking into a data minefield. The social media giant, now owned by a US-based entity, has made significant changes to its privacy policy.
Users who opened the app in the US today were greeted with a pop-up asking them to agree to TikTok's new terms of service and privacy policy before they could resume scrolling. While users might tap "Agree" without fully understanding what changes they're agreeing to, it's essential to note that these changes have serious implications for user data.
The most notable change is the addition of precise location tracking. Prior to this update, TikTok did not collect the exact GPS-derived location data of US users. Now, if you grant TikTok permission to use your phone's location services, the app may collect granular information about your exact whereabouts. This level of precision in tracking is also found in other social media apps like Instagram and X.
Another significant change is TikTok's new stance on AI interactions. Previously, this aspect was not explicitly mentioned in the policy. Now, users' interactions with any of TikTok's AI tools fall under data that the service may collect and store. This includes prompts as well as the AI-generated outputs. The metadata attached to your interactions with AI tools is also automatically logged.
Lastly, there's a change regarding the platform's advertising strategy. While advertisers and other partners were previously sharing information about users' actions outside of TikTok's platforms, the new policy now explicitly mentions publishers as one kind of partner that works with the platform to collect data. This could lead to a more seamless targeting experience for ads shown on the app.
In essence, TikTok's recent update has significantly expanded its ability to track user data, both within and outside of its platform.
Users who opened the app in the US today were greeted with a pop-up asking them to agree to TikTok's new terms of service and privacy policy before they could resume scrolling. While users might tap "Agree" without fully understanding what changes they're agreeing to, it's essential to note that these changes have serious implications for user data.
The most notable change is the addition of precise location tracking. Prior to this update, TikTok did not collect the exact GPS-derived location data of US users. Now, if you grant TikTok permission to use your phone's location services, the app may collect granular information about your exact whereabouts. This level of precision in tracking is also found in other social media apps like Instagram and X.
Another significant change is TikTok's new stance on AI interactions. Previously, this aspect was not explicitly mentioned in the policy. Now, users' interactions with any of TikTok's AI tools fall under data that the service may collect and store. This includes prompts as well as the AI-generated outputs. The metadata attached to your interactions with AI tools is also automatically logged.
Lastly, there's a change regarding the platform's advertising strategy. While advertisers and other partners were previously sharing information about users' actions outside of TikTok's platforms, the new policy now explicitly mentions publishers as one kind of partner that works with the platform to collect data. This could lead to a more seamless targeting experience for ads shown on the app.
In essence, TikTok's recent update has significantly expanded its ability to track user data, both within and outside of its platform.
. Nothing beats the simplicity of not having a phone that can collect all your personal info 24/7. And speaking of phones, have you tried using those new wireless earbuds? Like, I'm totally stoked about how compact they are – I've been carrying them around with me everywhere 
. Anyway, back to TikTok... I feel like we need some stricter regulations on these big tech companies and their data collection practices 
. It's crazy how much information these apps can get from us just by being active on our platforms 
.
. I mean, think about it, you're already giving TikTok so much info just by using the app, now they want even more? 
Like, what's next? Are they gonna start tracking your every move and sell that data to the highest bidder? 
I'm not saying I don't like being able to use the app or whatever, but come on, can we at least have a little transparency about how our data is being used? 
. I know they say it's all part of their "service" and whatnot, but honestly, I don't want some algorithm watching my every move and storing that info somewhere 
. plus, now publishers can collect data outside of tiktok's platforms... that's just too much info 
. need to update my settings ASAP 
.
. This new policy feels like a slippery slope – one day it's fine, the next day it's not 
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. We need to be more vigilant about our online lives and make sure we're not sacrificing our privacy for the sake of convenience 
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so yeah, good luck tryin to avoid gettin tracked by them now 
not me, that's for sure. and ai interactions? 
we already have enough data breaches and cyber attacks happening, do we really need tiktok tracking our exact locations too? 
it's one thing to know that your data is being collected but another to know it's being used for AI interactions and ad targeting without your explicit consent 
It feels like they're watching our every move 
. And what about those advertisers who were already sharing info about me? Are they going to be friends with TikTok now too? 
.
I know TikTok's gotta make a buck, but do we really need that level of tracking? 
i've been using tiktok since like 2019 and never really thought about where my data was going, but now that I think about it, it's kinda scary 
like what happens when the government gets a hold of all this data? 
. i mean who wants their exact location tracked all the time? it's like they're expecting us to be walking around with our phones constantly tracking our every move 
this new update just makes me wanna delete my account all together, but at the same time i love tiktok too much to do that... its like they're pushing us towards a dystopian future one data point at a time 
. i mean, i undorstand it's a change but it feels like dey're tryna control everyting u do on de app 
. can't say im stoked about dis new update 
