Can TikTok access your camera?

In summary, these permissions allow TikTok to: Access the camera (and take pictures/video), the microphone (and record sound), the device's WIFI connection, and the full contact list on the device.

proofpoint.com - Understanding the information TikTok gathers and stores | Proofpoint US

Why should we hire you answers?

Show that you have skills and experience to do the job and deliver great results. You never know what other candidates offer to the company. But...

Last updated Apr 23, 2022

Is episode appropriate for 12 year olds?

On the Apple App Store, the game is rated 12+ and on Google Play it's rated “Mature”. That said, players of Episode are often impressionable older...

Last updated Mar 18, 2018

Promotion

TikTok, the popular social media video sharing application, continues to make headlines due to cybersecurity concerns and the trend doesn’t appear to be slowing down. Just recently the U.S. Army and Navy banned its use on government phones following a Defense Department warning regarding potential personal information risk. And this week TikTok confirmed it patched multiple vulnerabilities that potentially exposed accounts, user information, and videos. To help users understand TikTok’s real privacy impact, the Proofpoint research team has examined the app and its behavior. Below are details on the information TikTok gathers, sends, and stores.

What is TikTok?

TikTok enables users to create short, fifteen-second videos on their phones and post the content to a public platform. Videos are enhanced with music and visual elements, such as filters and stickers, and can also be co-created with other users through a split screen “duet” feature. TikTok’s youthful target demographic and the nature of the content people create and share on the platform have put the app’s privacy aspects in the spotlight in recent months. Also, questions about where TikTok data is stored has led people to raise questions about who might have access to that data. Our researchers looked at TikTok’s privacy statement, the permissions the app required on Android and iOS, the information the Android app sends to servers, as well as the app’s privacy controls for uploaded content. This analysis is meant to help you better evaluate how TikTok handles privacy. In turn, you can decide whether you, your organization, or others you are responsible for should use it.

What you need to know about TikTok security

The most important thing to understand is that while TikTok shares audio and video you post and allows you to restrict who can see that content, it does request a number of permissions on your device. Most notably, it accesses your location and device information. While our researchers found nothing to indicate malicious activity or that TikTok is violating their privacy policy, people should exercise caution, especially in terms of the content they record and post.

TikTok app permissions include personal information and device control

First, our researchers examined the permissions TikTok requires on Android and iOS devices following installation. While some of the permissions detailed below are to be expected, all of this is consistent with TikTok’s written privacy policy. However, when you see all that TikTok gathers it can still be of concern. In summary, these permissions allow TikTok to: Our researchers found that TikTok has full access to the audio, video, and address book on the device, which isn’t surprising given that TikTok is an audio-visual app by design.

What is the funniest job in the world?

Here are the top 10 weirdest jobs in the world: 10) Professional sleeper: ... 9) Drying paint watcher: ... 8) Full-time Netflix viewer: ... 7)...

Last updated Jan 8, 2018

What is the next TikTok?

TikTok's competitors include Clash, Triller, Dubsmash, Instagram, Byte, Funimate, Lomotif, Cheez, Vigo Video, KWAI, Likee, Firework, and VideoShow....

Last updated Jul 31, 2021

Promotion

However, the GPS tracking is surprising, especially as TikTok videos don’t obviously display location information. TikTok does call out their collection of location information in their privacy policy. In it, they state that you have control over this: “You can switch off GPS location information functionality on your mobile device if you do not wish to share GPS information.” On Android, the app has the ability to access other apps running at the same time, which can give the app with that permission the ability to access data in another app like a banking app. However, our researchers see no evidence that TikTok abuses this ability. In Figure 1 you can see the permissions TikTok requires as shown in the Android interface.

Figure 1 TikTok Permission as shown in Android

In Figure 2 you can see the permissions it requires on iOS.

Figure 2 Figure 1 TikTok Permission as shown in iOS

Our researchers also examined the information that is actually sent across the network from the Android TikTok app. We found it is consistent with their privacy policy and the permissions requested. Our researchers found the following information was being sent:

Geolocation data, including: longitude, latitude, and time zone

This information is sent to TikTok’s servers and based on their privacy policy, should be presumed to be stored there.

Content Privacy Controls

TikTok’s privacy model and controls are similar to and consistent with other social media platforms like Facebook. Users have the ability to restrict their content visibility. The controls are simple: users can choose between “Everyone”, “Friends”, and “Only me”. It’s important to note that these are social media visibility controls and they only control what other users can see regarding content posted. These do not have a bearing on the information that’s actually stored on TikTok’s server infrastructure. TikTok is like many mobile device-cloud paired services: the total privacy picture includes the privacy controls for content you store in the cloud. In Figure 3, you can see the app permissions that control content privacy (once it’s uploaded).

Figure 3 TikTok Permission as shown within the app

Data Storage Location and Security Concerns

One of the biggest concerns surrounding TikTok is where user information is stored. The TikTok website states: “We store all TikTok US user data in the United States, with backup redundancy in Singapore. Our data centers are located entirely outside of China, and none of our data is subject to Chinese law.”

What is the most common problem in social media marketing?

Common social media marketing problems include: Not engaging with followers. Focusing too much on sales. Being tone-deaf to your audience and...

Last updated May 14, 2020

Is it better to live without social media?

Researchers have demonstrated numerous times why you should take a break from social media. The most important thing in life is one's pleasure and...

Last updated Jul 9, 2018

Promotion

Their EU privacy policy includes as a question “Where we store your personal data” which says “The personal data that we collect from you will be transferred to, and stored at, a destination outside of the European Economic Area ("EEA").” There is no other specific information on the TikTok website regarding where user data is stored. Related to this, TikTok has just published their first ever “Transparency Report” which details “legal requests for user information”, “government requests for content removal”, “copyrighted content take-down notices”. It’s notable that India, the United States and Japan were the top three countries respectively where user information was requested. The United States was the number one country with fulfilled request with 86% and the number one country in terms of number of accounts specified in the requests, 255. China is not listed which means TikTok did not receive any requests for user information in China.

Conclusion

The TikTok app requests several permissions that are obvious for a social media app focused on audio and video; however, outside of U.S. users, it does not provide specific information on where the data is stored. It provides standard social media privacy controls which can be used to restrict access to content but does require user interaction to lock it down tightly. All in all, TikTok should be treated like any social media app: one that can be used with relative safety if you’re aware of the information it gathers and what it does with the data. This is where review of their privacy policy is useful, as well as taking time to review all the information available around the app, the service, and data storage. And finally remember that what you record, others will see. Is your organization protected from potential personal information risk? Learn about Information Protection.

proofpoint.com - Understanding the information TikTok gathers and stores | Proofpoint US

What job makes the most millionaires?

Eight out of 10 millionaires invested in their company's 401(k) plan. The top five careers for millionaires include engineer, accountant, teacher,...

Last updated Jul 7, 2018

What is the newest Instagram feature?

11 New Instagram Features Marketers Should Be Using in 2022 Reels Template. ... Dual Camera. ... Remix Photos. ... Interactive Stickers. ... Grid...

Last updated Aug 20, 2018

Promotion

Can I get verified on Instagram with 100 followers?

As long as you are able to prove that you are a “notable,” or highly searched for, person (or your account represents a widely recognized business...

Last updated May 11, 2020

Promotion

How much can I charge per TikTok post?

According to IZEA, the average cost per TikTok based on influencer tier is as follows: Nano influencers (1000 - 10,000 followers): $800 per post....

Last updated Mar 5, 2020