Privacy Concerns
TikTok has faced scrutiny over its data collection practices. According to a Time article, TikTok collects a significant amount of user data including browsing information, metadata, location information, and more. There are concerns that TikTok shares this data with its parent company ByteDance, located in China.
TikTok’s algorithm curates each user’s “For You” feed of recommended content. According to a Kaspersky article, the algorithm tracks user behavior extensively to determine preferences and recommend engaging content. However, the inner workings of the algorithm are not transparent. There are allegations that TikTok censors content deemed sensitive by the Chinese government.
In summary, privacy advocates argue that TikTok’s expansive data collection coupled with its opaque algorithm raise concerns about user privacy and potential censorship on behalf of the Chinese government.
Addictive Nature
TikTok’s design encourages endless scrolling and viewing. The app autoplays videos continuously as users scroll, making it easy to stay glued to the screen for hours. According to a 2022 study published in Frontiers in Psychology, TikTok’s autoplay feature and addictive algorithm contribute to addictive usage (https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.932805).
The short-form videos on TikTok, typically 15 seconds to 1 minute long, also appeal to short attention spans. Users can quickly flip through videos without dedicating much time or focus. However, this constant novelty and stimulation can decrease users’ attention spans even further. A 2021 analysis in Public Health Journal found TikTok’s structure promotes “distracted and addictive use” (https://sites.brown.edu/publichealthjournal/2021/12/13/tiktok/).
Excessive TikTok use has been linked to negative mental health effects like anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbances. The app’s addictive nature makes it difficult for some users to moderate their usage. Setting boundaries around TikTok and being mindful of usage is important for maintaining mental wellbeing.
Copyright Infringement
One major issue with TikTok is the rampant unauthorized use of copyrighted music. Many TikTok users create videos with popular songs as background music without obtaining proper licenses from the rights holders. This has resulted in numerous lawsuits from major record labels, music publishers, and artists alleging copyright infringement.
In November 2021, Sony Music Entertainment and Universal Music Group filed a lawsuit against TikTok seeking “hundreds of millions of dollars” for unauthorized use of their songs by TikTok users (Source). Industry groups like the National Music Publishers’ Association have also criticized TikTok for not doing enough to prevent copyright infringement on its platform.
Individual artists like Neil Young and Duffy have also spoken out against TikTok for the same issue. These lawsuits highlight the need for better copyright protections and enforcement on TikTok to ensure artists are fairly compensated.
Moderation Controversies
TikTok has faced criticism over allegations of racial bias in its moderation practices. In 2020, former content moderators sued TikTok, claiming moderators were instructed to suppress posts by users deemed “too ugly, poor, or disabled” for the platform. The suit alleged these guidelines disproportionately impacted minority users.
TikTok’s moderation of LGBTQ+ content has also prompted concerns. Despite marketing itself as LGBTQ-friendly, reports indicate TikTok has blocked LGBTQ hashtags and restricted promotion of LGBTQ content. For example, TikTok banned the #GayPride hashtag in some regions in 2019. TikTok stated it aims to create an “inclusive environment” but acknowledges “we have work to do.”
Spread of Misinformation
TikTok has had issues with the spread of misinformation and disinformation, especially around major events like the COVID-19 pandemic. During the early stages of the pandemic, many COVID-19 conspiracy theories and falsehoods spread rapidly on TikTok before the platform introduced policies to combat this issue.
One study found that nearly a quarter of the top COVID-19 and vaccine related videos on TikTok contained misinformation. This included widely debunked claims such as COVID being planned by Bill Gates, false claims about mask safety, and promotion of sham treatments (TikTok 2022).
TikTok’s algorithmic recommendation system has been criticized for amplifying misinformation during major news events by promoting sensational and misleading content. Manipulated and deceptively edited videos have also spread misinformation on topics like the war in Ukraine and the 2020 election (Bhargava 2023).
While TikTok has policies against misinformation and works to remove violative content, critics argue it has not done enough. The rapid virality combined with a young user base susceptible to conspiracy theories has created an ongoing challenge for TikTok.
Child Safety Concerns
TikTok poses significant risks for children and minors due to the potential for predation and cyberbullying, as well as exposure to inappropriate content.
The anonymity provided by the platform makes it easy for predators to contact and groom minors. According to Parents.com, there have been reports of adults using TikTok to prey on underage users.
Cyberbullying is also a major issue, with one study finding that kids on TikTok have a 64% chance of experiencing harassment or repeated offensive comments.
Inappropriate and mature content is also easily accessible on TikTok if safety modes are not enabled. Children can be exposed to videos containing violence, sexual content, drug use, offensive language and more. TikTok has tried improving its moderation, but experts say inappropriate content still slips through.
Parents are advised to monitor their children’s TikTok use, utilize privacy settings, have ongoing conversations about online safety and set time limits on usage.
Promoting Dangerous Challenges
TikTok has faced criticism for challenges that encourage users to partake in dangerous or harmful stunts. Some of the most concerning viral challenges on TikTok include:
- The Tide Pod challenge, which involved biting into liquid laundry detergent pods.
- The milk crate challenge, where people stacked milk crates in a pyramid shape and then attempted to walk up and down them, often resulting in crashes and injuries (source).
- The blackout challenge, daring people to choke themselves until they pass out.
- The fire challenge, pouring flammable liquid on one’s body then setting it alight.
These dangerous stunts have led to injuries, hospitalizations, and even deaths. Critics argue TikTok’s algorithm can quickly amplify risky challenges, while TikTok has claimed it works to remove harmful content. However, dangerous challenges continue spreading widely on the platform before being taken down.
China Censorship
There have been multiple allegations that TikTok censors content critical of China and its policies. According to investigations, TikTok has blocked videos mentioning human rights abuses against Uyghurs in Xinjiang as well as the protests in Hong Kong (Wikipedia). The censorship seems to extend beyond China’s borders, with reports that such content was restricted globally, not just within mainland China.
For example, an investigation by The Guardian found that TikTok was censoring videos related to pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong, disabling search results for certain hashtags used by protestors (The Guardian). This raised concerns that TikTok was applying Chinese censorship standards internationally to appease the Chinese government.
While TikTok claims that their content policies are not influenced by any government, many remain skeptical, especially given China’s stringent controls over online content and free speech. The implications of TikTok’s alleged censorship go beyond China, impacting what information people around the world can access on an immensely popular platform.
Security Vulnerabilities
TikTok has faced criticism for various security vulnerabilities that put users’ data and privacy at risk. One major issue is the use of third-party trackers that can gather data on users’ online activities. According to a 2022 study by privacy analysis company pCloudy, TikTok had the most third-party trackers among social media apps, including many from companies like Google and Facebook. The large number of trackers allows extensive monitoring of user data and online behaviors.
Additionally, cybersecurity experts have warned about potential malware risks associated with TikTok. Links or videos on the platform could contain malware that gets downloaded onto users’ devices once clicked or viewed. There are also concerns about the app’s access to sensitive data on phones, such as location, contacts, and photos. Researchers discovered vulnerabilities that could have enabled remote attackers to manipulate user data and reveal personal information.
Perhaps most alarmingly, TikTok has suffered multiple data breaches over the years. In 2019, a breach exposed personal information of nearly 2 million TikTok users. Other reported breaches have revealed data including usernames, passwords, and private videos. With TikTok’s massive userbase, hacking attacks and vulnerabilities in the app’s security expose enormous amounts of private data. Experts say TikTok will need to take strong measures to assure users that their data is not at risk of compromise.
Distracting and Addictive
One of the biggest issues surrounding TikTok is that the app is intentionally designed to be extremely addictive and distracting for users. The platform’s algorithm is programmed to keep users scrolling endlessly through videos by showing them content that aligns with their interests and preferences.
According to a 2021 study published in Public Health Journal, TikTok’s addictive nature stems from providing users with a constant stream of novel, emotionally-charged content. The algorithm learns what users respond to and continues serving them similar content to keep them engaged (https://sites.brown.edu/publichealthjournal/2021/12/13/tiktok/).
This can have negative impacts on productivity and attention spans, especially among young users. Psychologists note the constant novelty and dopamine hits from scrolling can make it hard to focus on tasks that require sustained concentration. There are also concerns around the addictive nature impacting mental health and wellbeing (https://www.choosingtherapy.com/tiktok-addiction/).
Many users report losing hours mindlessly scrolling and having trouble pulling themselves away from the app. While TikTok can be entertaining in moderation, the platform’s addictive design poses risks in terms of distraction and reduced attention span for heavy users.
