This article discusses how TikTok tracks users across the internet, collecting sensitive information without requiring direct use of the app.
The article reveals that TikTok not only tracks user activity within its app but also monitors actions across other websites, gathering sensitive and potentially embarrassing information even from those who do not use the platform. It highlights how in early February, the author discovered various websites transmitting personal data related to serious health issues, such as cancer diagnoses and mental health crises, directly to TikTok.
This extensive tracking extends the reach of TikTok's data collection beyond conventional social media engagement, thus raising significant privacy concerns among users. The report mentions that recent updates to TikTok's functionality will enhance its tracking capabilities, suggesting that the platform is expanding its data-gathering techniques to encompass more private aspects of users' lives.
Moreover, the timing of this news is critical, occurring shortly after the sale of TikTok's U.S. operations to a consortium affiliated with the government, signaling potential implications for both user privacy and the regulatory landscape of digital apps. The article stresses the importance of awareness among internet users regarding their data privacy and provides suggestions on how to limit TikTok’s tracking activities.
