TikTok users cautioned about the app’s data collection policy. Picture: Kon Karampelas from Pixabay
By the end of this year, it is estimated that the popular social media app TikTok will have more than 1.8 billion users. Twenty-five percent will be between the ages of 10 and 19 years old, meaning increased screen time, more content, trends, data and privacy risks.
The video-based app is among several other platforms to come under fire this year due to its aggressive data collection policies concealed in its lengthy terms and conditions, which would take the average English-speaking individual an hour to read.
Dr Dan Thornton, cyber security expert and CEO of GoldPhish, a cyber security awareness training platform, said that on the surface, social media platforms like TikTok and Snapchat seem like an easy way for kids to keep busy and in touch with friends their own age.
“But, if you dig a little deeper, you will find that these platforms collect and access excessive amounts of data from their users, everything from keystrokes and biometric data to text, images and videos that are stored on a device’s clipboard.”
He added that children’s privacy needs to be protected at all times.
Data is the diamonds, so hackers will continue to mine for it. Statista.com reported that by 2027, more than six billion people will use social media worldwide. With this comes the inevitable increase of hackers and malicious interlopers extracting and using your data in ways that undermine your personal privacy.
“In some instances, stealing your data outright. Online criminals target your social platforms to defraud you, swindle you, impersonate you, steal your identity or even track your location,” said Thornton.
A January study by mobile marketing company URL Genius also revealed that TikTok mostly allows third-party trackers to collect user data and from there, it’s hard to say what happens with it.
Thornton also said social media is a powerful tool and was responsible for keeping millions of people connected and sane during the pandemic.
“There’s no need to delete every single app you have in fear for your privacy, but consider your online security in the same way as you would a routine dentist appointment. It’s just something that needs to be done on occasion as part of our online hygiene.”
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