No way around it, TikTok’s ‘privacy’ policy is not safe
(Apr. 22, 2022) — Some software applications contain code that sends your personal information to servers in foreign countries.
While you are enjoying the content, for example, kittens snuggling up to dogs, the app is spying on you. And you actually gave the application permission.
Unlike the physical attacks going on in Ukraine, the apps are silent killers meant to steal your personal information and drain your bank accounts. This cybercrime is being committed by an organized mission of foreign governments.
According to Mark Lennihan of the Associated Press, “Citigroup is one of the institutions to note an increase in cyberattacks since sanctions were placed on Russia.”
Russia and China have teamed up to gather information and data about you and your spending habits, likes, dislikes and political views. Once the data is collected, the app surreptitiously sends it back to foreign government servers.
TikTok
The most egregious app is China’s popular TikTok. Xi Jinping is gathering personal information, including credit card numbers, bank accounts and browsing histories, and storing it all. Like a pickpocket or maleficent prestidigitator, they smile as they lure and distract you – all the while mugging you.
According to Makeuseof.com, an educational technology blog, one of the seven reasons users should avoid, even delete, the app is, “In its privacy policy, TikTok says that it collects the ‘information you provide in the context of composing, sending, or receiving messages.’ Yup –TikTok can actively watch what you are writing in messages to friends, even if you never hit the send button.”
Unlike Stevie Nicks’ lyrics, “Thunder only happens when it’s raining,” in this case, just typing or speaking to your smart phone isn’t too smart if you have the TikTok app installed. Even if your phone is off, it is still listening to everything you and others say around you. Then it sends this data to China’s servers.
Maybe the U.S. government is naive and behind the curve. The Trump administration banned the app, but Biden reinstated it.
In India, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology banned the app. Bangladesh, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Pakistan and others have banned it as well. France has banned some TikTok videos; the Canadians are worried; and Australia is considering a ban.
Can you stop it?
Here’s the raw deal: Not much can stop this spying without removing the app. There aren’t many software cyber security apps that can prevent you from unintentionally sending spy data. In fact, Kaspersky anti-virus made in Russia is hiding this truth.
Think of it this way: You gave the TikTok app permission to spy on you when you chose to install it. You accepted the terms of use (without reading the EULA), so your cyber security software views the app as friendly and the spying starts.
It is definitely not friendly; it is a raw deal.
Now go do the right thing. Delete the TikTok app and watch what you say or do around the uninformed.
Email questions or comments to willclaney@gmail.com.
Will Claney
William Claney is an independent tech writer and former owner of Computers USA in the Clayton Station. Email questions or comments to willclaney@gmail.com.