TikTok is a popular short-form video app that has seen massive growth since launching in 2016. As of January 2023, TikTok has over 1.1 billion monthly active users globally (Source). In the US alone, TikTok has over 100 million monthly active users and continues to grow rapidly among teens and young adults (Source). The app allows users to create, share and discover short videos typically set to music. Thanks to its fun, lighthearted content and powerful algorithm that surfaces entertaining videos, TikTok has become one of the fastest growing social media platforms in history.
Data Privacy Concerns
TikTok has faced accusations that it illegally collects and shares user data. In 2020, TikTok settled a class action lawsuit over claims it violated state and federal law by tracking, collecting, and disclosing personally identifiable information and biometric data without user consent TikTok Class Action Lawsuit. The defendants denied any wrongdoing but agreed to pay $92 million as part of the settlement.
Specifically, TikTok was accused of violating the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act by collecting biometric data from users’ videos without consent. This included scans of face geometry TikTok Biometric Data Settlement. The settlement restricts how TikTok can collect, store, and use users’ biometric data moving forward.
Additionally, TikTok was accused of accessing the contents of users’ clipboards without notifying them, collecting data on users’ locations, and sharing data with third parties without consent TikTok Data Privacy Settlement. While TikTok claimed it was already making changes around data practices, the settlement placed legally binding restrictions on its data collection and use.
Data Storage Outside US
There have long been concerns that TikTok stores U.S. user data on servers in China, despite claims that all U.S. user data is stored in the U.S. According to Forbes, TikTok admitted in a sworn statement in 2022 that American’s data has at times been accessed from China. Specifically, TikTok said that China-based employees of its parent company ByteDance can access U.S. user data as part of a series of exceptions to its U.S. storage policies. This contradicts past assurances that U.S. user data has never been stored or accessed from China.
Potential for Censorship
TikTok has faced accusations of censoring content deemed politically sensitive by the Chinese government. There is evidence that TikTok has down-weighted the reach of posts related to topics like the Tiananmen Square protests, Tibetan independence, and the mistreatment of Uyghurs in Xinjiang [1]. This has raised concerns that TikTok is censoring information at the behest of the Chinese Communist Party.
In September 2020, TikTok issued a statement that said it had not removed any content related to protests in Hong Kong. However, a subsequent report found that a number of Hong Kong-related hashtags had zero views, indicating shadow banning [2]. TikTok claims it does not remove content based on sensitivities to China and that it would not do so if asked.
However, the potential remains for TikTok to censor content globally that the Chinese government deems unacceptable. Critics argue its ownership by a Chinese company leaves it vulnerable to pressure from Beijing to filter content to align with Chinese foreign policy goals.
National Security Risk
The US government has expressed concerns over TikTok’s Chinese ownership and the potential for China to access user data. TikTok is owned by ByteDance, a Chinese company that moved its headquarters to Singapore in 2020. However, critics argue ByteDance could still be coerced by the Chinese government to hand over data given China’s national security laws.
US officials fear that TikTok could be used to spread pro-China propaganda or censor content deemed unfavorable by the Chinese Communist Party. There are also concerns that TikTok’s algorithm could be used to influence American users or push certain political agendas.
In 2022, FBI Director Chris Wray testified to Congress that TikTok’s US user data could be accessed and manipulated by China. Wray stated the app “allows Chinese intelligence services to manipulate content and use it for influence operations”.
These concerns have led some US politicians to call for TikTok to be banned or its US operations sold to an American company. However, TikTok claims US user data is stored on servers in the US and Singapore, not China. Nonetheless, worries persist over potential Chinese government influence.
Banned by US Army
In December 2019, the U.S. Army banned the use of TikTok following guidance from the Pentagon over national security concerns. The Army had originally allowed soldiers to use TikTok, but reversed this policy after assessing the risks (Army Follows Pentagon Guidance, Bans Chinese-Owned TikTok App). The Army determined that the risks of using TikTok outweighed the benefits, citing concerns that data could be accessed by the Chinese government.
The Pentagon highlighted potential security risks with TikTok’s Chinese ownership, including the possibility of censorship or foreign influence campaigns. There were also concerns that TikTok’s algorithms could be manipulated to promote misinformation. Ultimately, the Army decided that banning TikTok was the most prudent course of action to mitigate security risks for military personnel.
India Bans TikTok
In June 2020, India banned TikTok and 58 other Chinese apps, citing national security concerns after a military clash with China at the India-China border (1). The Indian government stated the apps were “prejudicial to sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India, security of state and public order” (2). The ban effectively cut off access to TikTok for India’s nearly 650 million internet users, removing ByteDance’s largest overseas market and depriving it of new users to fuel growth (3).
India was TikTok’s largest international market, with over 200 million active monthly users. The ban was a major setback for ByteDance and forced the company to lay off 2,000 employees in India (4). While some workarounds emerged, usage of TikTok plummeted after the ban. The ban opened opportunities for competitors like Instagram Reels to grow their user base in India (5).
The Indian government justified the ban based on concerns about data sharing with China and the potential for the app to be used to spread misinformation or carry out surveillance. However, ByteDance disputed these claims and stated it stores Indian user data locally in Singapore and the US. The ban highlighted growing data sovereignty concerns surrounding TikTok worldwide (6).
Sources:
(1) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Censorship_of_TikTok
(2) https://www.forbes.com/sites/alexandralevine/2023/03/21/tiktok-india-ban-bytedance-data-access/
(3) https://www.forbes.com/sites/conormurray/2023/03/23/heres-what-happened-when-this-massive-country-banned-tiktok/
(4) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Censorship_of_TikTok
(5) https://www.forbes.com/sites/conormurray/2023/03/23/heres-what-happened-when-this-massive-country-banned-tiktok/
(6) https://www.forbes.com/sites/alexandralevine/2023/03/21/tiktok-india-ban-bytedance-data-access/
TikTok’s Response
TikTok claims it protects user data and does not censor or remove content based on China’s sensitivities. In a 2019 statement, TikTok said they have never been asked by the Chinese government to remove content. When allegations surfaced in 2022 that TikTok user data was unsecured, TikTok responded that the statements were taken out of context and explained they have rigorous security practices in place to protect user data.
Increased Scrutiny
TikTok has come under increased scrutiny by governments and regulators around the world. In March 2023, it was reported that the U.S. Justice Department and the FBI had opened an investigation into TikTok over allegations that employees had improperly accessed private data of American users (New York Times, NBC News).
The congressional advisory committee on China also requested a classified briefing on the investigation, citing national security concerns about the popular social media app (Forbes). The scrutiny highlights ongoing worries that data on American users could be obtained and exploited by the Chinese government.
Other governments such as India have banned TikTok out of similar data privacy and national security concerns. TikTok has denied allegations of spying and maintained that American user data is kept secure, but the app’s Chinese ownership continues to draw attention from Western regulators.
Conclusion
In summary, TikTok has faced increased scrutiny over data privacy concerns, censorship, and national security risks. User data is stored in China and subject to Chinese laws, leading to fears that the Chinese government may access sensitive user information or censor content they deem unacceptable.
Multiple countries have banned or considered banning TikTok, including India and the US Army, due to suspicions that TikTok poses a threat to national security. TikTok claims they do not share data with the Chinese government and would not comply with any requests to censor or access data.
However, given China’s national security laws and TikTok’s ownership by Chinese company ByteDance, doubts persist around the app’s ability to resist government demands. TikTok will likely continue facing pressure to assure governments their data is secure, be transparent about censorship and moderation policies, and convince regulators there are no risks to national security.
The scrutiny of TikTok highlights broader concerns around protecting privacy and free expression as apps based in non-democratic countries gain worldwide popularity. Going forward, TikTok will need to work diligently to address these concerns if it wants to maintain trust and continue growth outside China.
