TikTok is a short-form video app that has exploded in popularity in recent years. Launched in 2017 by the Chinese tech company ByteDance, TikTok has been downloaded over 3 billion times globally as of 2022 (source). TikTok saw tremendous growth in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, with downloads increasing by 77% from 2019 (source).
However, TikTok’s Chinese ownership has raised concerns in the US government that the app could be used to collect data on American citizens or spread Chinese propaganda. Critics argue TikTok may have to comply with Chinese laws that require companies to support state intelligence work. There are fears that TikTok could censor content deemed politically sensitive by the Chinese government, or that the personalized data it collects on users could be exploited by China.
TikTok’s Ties to China
TikTok is owned by the Chinese company ByteDance. This has led to concerns that the Chinese government could have influence or access to TikTok user data. There have been instances of TikTok censoring content that goes against the Chinese government.
In 2019, TikTok suspended the account of 17-year-old Feroza Aziz after she posted a series of videos disguised as makeup tutorials that criticized China’s treatment of Muslims. According to Vox, her account was suspended shortly after posting the videos. TikTok said it banned Aziz for an earlier satirical video that suggested Osama Bin Laden should go out with his look, not because of her criticism of China [1].
US Senator Marco Rubio has called for an investigation into whether TikTok censors content deemed politically sensitive by the Chinese government. In a letter to Treasury Secretary Mnuchin in 2019, Rubio said “TikTok reportedly censors materials deemed politically sensitive to the Chinese Communist Party, including content related to the recent Hong Kong protests, as well as references to Tiananmen Square, Tibetan and Taiwanese independence, and the treatment of Uighurs” [2].
According to Mashable, TikTok has blocked and shadowbanned topics that the Chinese government deems controversial, such as Falun Gong and independent Tibet. Moderation guidelines obtained by The Guardian also instructed moderators to censor political speech and references to historical events like Tiananmen Square [3].
Data Collection Concerns
TikTok has come under scrutiny for the broad scope of user data it collects. According to a report by the Congressional Research Service, TikTok collects data including browsing history, search terms, location data, biometrics, content of messages sent through the app, and metadata [1]. Some experts argue this data collection is more excessive than comparable social media apps like Facebook. TikTok claims it collects this data for targeted advertising, content recommendation, and other business purposes.
However, the main concern is that this data could be exploited by the Chinese government, as the app is owned by Chinese company ByteDance. There are fears China could leverage the data for surveillance, censorship, or propaganda purposes. For example, location data could be used to monitor U.S. military personnel, and content viewed by users could enable China to fine-tune censorship and propaganda [2]. While TikTok claims U.S. user data is stored outside of China, experts argue there is still a risk of data being accessed from China if compelled by Chinese authorities.
Prior Incidents
TikTok has faced scrutiny in the past over security vulnerabilities and accusations of censoring content critical of China. In 2020, a major data breach exposed the personal information of millions of TikTok users (https://firewalltimes.com/tiktok-data-breach-timeline/). Attackers were able to access private user data due to insufficient authentication in TikTok’s systems. More recently in 2023, another attack allowed leaking of personal information due to an authentication weakness (https://www.calcalistech.com/ctechnews/article/rkga0njvn).
There have also been incidents where TikTok has allegedly censored or suppressed content that was critical of China. This has raised concerns that the company may be susceptible to pressure from the Chinese government to control the information users see. While TikTok claims it doesn’t remove content based on sensitivities to China, some believe its content moderation favors Chinese interests.
US Government Response
The US government has labeled TikTok as a national security threat due to its ties to China. In 2020, then-President Trump signed an executive order to ban TikTok unless it was sold to an American company. The order cited concerns that TikTok could be compelled to hand over American user data to the Chinese government. However, court challenges blocked the ban from taking effect (CNN, 2023).
In 2022, Congress passed the “No TikTok on Government Devices Act” which bans TikTok from government devices. More recently, in March 2023 the Senate passed a bill to ban TikTok from operating in the US. While these actions demonstrate the US government’s strong stance against TikTok, the ultimate fate of the app in the US remains undecided as negotiations continue (TikTok Newsroom, 2020).
TikTok’s Defenses
In response to concerns about data security, TikTok has made public statements defending the measures it takes to protect user data. In a blog post, TikTok stated that “TikTok user data is protected by strong physical and logical security controls, including gated entry points, firewalls, and intrusion detection systems” (TikTok). TikTok also formed a subsidiary called TikTok US Data Security (USDS) which oversees data security for American users. According to USDS, “That access is subject to a series of robust controls, safeguards like encryption for certain data, and authorization approval protocols overseen by our U.S.-based leadership team” (USDS).
TikTok has also tried to distance itself from its parent company ByteDance by storing American user data on servers in the US and Singapore. TikTok claims that the data is not subject to Chinese law and that the Chinese government has no access to it. However, some experts argue that ByteDance could still potentially access or control US user data if it wanted to.
Assessing the True Threat Level
Concerns have been raised about China’s potential access to TikTok user data and the implications for national security and privacy. However, experts say the true threat level is complicated to assess.
According to a CNN analysis, there is now some evidence that China-based employees of ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company, have repeatedly accessed nonpublic data on U.S. TikTok users. While TikTok has downplayed China’s access to data in Congressional testimony, this evidence contradicts those statements.
However, some experts argue the threat is still theoretical in nature. As reported by CSO Online, China’s theoretical access to TikTok data could be used for intellectual property theft or learning more about foreign citizens. But there is no direct evidence yet that this type of data access has occurred.
Ultimately, it’s difficult to quantify the true likelihood of Chinese interference. Some experts argue the risk is high given the legal and political climate in China, which could compel ByteDance to share data. Others say the threat is overblown, as China has many avenues to obtain data beyond TikTok if desired. More evidence is needed to make a definitive assessment.
TikTok Alternatives
Given the concerns around TikTok’s data privacy and ties to China, many users are seeking alternative apps for short-form video content. The two biggest alternatives are Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts.
Instagram Reels is very similar to TikTok, allowing users to create and share 15-60 second multi-clip videos with effects, audio, and creative tools. As part of Facebook/Meta, Instagram Reels may provide better data privacy protections than TikTok since Meta is a US company. However, Meta has still faced its share of data privacy controversies, so some caution is still warranted.
YouTube Shorts also offers short-form video creation and sharing within the YouTube app. As a Google/Alphabet product, YouTube Shorts is subject to US laws and regulations around data privacy. There is less concern about foreign government access to user data. However, Google’s data collection practices still raise questions for some privacy advocates.
Overall, while alternatives like Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts may have better data privacy protections than TikTok, many users feel that no platform today offers foolproof security. Practicing good data hygiene remains important across all social apps.
Recommendations for Users
With any social media platform, users should understand the risks and take steps to protect their privacy. Here are some tips for TikTok users:
Be selective about what information you share. Avoid revealing personal details like your full name, date of birth, home address, or location. Also consider whether content could reveal these indirectly.
Adjust your privacy settings. TikTok allows you to make your account private, control who can comment, limit your audience for some content, and turn off features like Spotlight or Suggested Users.
Be cautious about linking other accounts. Options like linking your Instagram or YouTube accounts can allow more tracking across platforms.
Limit third-party app connections. Be selective about connecting third-party apps through your TikTok account. Review their requested permissions first.
Consider using a VPN. A VPN can help hide your IP address and location data from the platform.
Be responsible with content creation. Avoid dangerous stunts or violations of community guidelines. Remember that your content represents you.
Be skeptical of misinformation. TikTok’s algorithm can promote misleading or false content. Fact check before sharing.
Report concerning incidents. Use built-in reporting tools if you encounter harassment, privacy invasions, or dangerous challenges.
Overall, approaching TikTok with greater awareness, limiting personal information, adjusting settings, and using best practices can help users control their experience and protect their privacy.
Conclusion
In summary, TikTok’s ties to China and its parent company ByteDance have raised concerns about data privacy and censorship, as user data could potentially be accessed by the Chinese government. However, TikTok claims it stores US user data outside of China and would not hand over data to the Chinese government. Several incidents have demonstrated TikTok’s ability to censor and moderate content, though TikTok states it does not take direction from China on moderation.
The US government has responded with attempted bans and forced sales of TikTok, though its true threat level remains debated. While TikTok gathers a vast amount of user data, much like other social platforms, cybersecurity experts have found no evidence of mass data transfers to China or secret backdoors enabling Chinese espionage thus far. The platform does present a potential vulnerability and should be monitored closely, but an outright ban could be an excessive solution to an unproven threat. For concerned users, viable alternatives like Instagram Reels exist. Overall, informed vigilance rather than panic is warranted around TikTok at this time.
