Every government organization that has banned TikTok from devices has cited security concerns. TikTok may collect a lot of personal information from its users. In the app’s privacy policyit says that, when you create an account, upload content, or interact with the platform in any way, TikTok can and will collect the following information:
- Any account and profile information (name, age, username, phone number, profile picture, email, password)
- Any user-generated content uploaded to the app (audio recordings, photos, comments, videos)
- Direct messages
- Any information used to purchase something through the app (card number, name and information from a third-party payment app, billing and shipping address)
Some of TikTok’s methods of collecting information can be circumvented by taking steps like denying the app access to your contacts. But much of TikTok’s information collection is automatic and users can’t stop it. For example, you must share:
- Your device information (IP address, mobile service provider, network type)
- Your position
- Cookies
- Device metadata (describes how, when, and where your user-generated content is generated)
Some governments fear there could be big problems if an adversary gets hold of user data. This can be especially worrisome if government officials with control over sensitive and confidential information give out their personal data — and that’s why the ban on devices by Federal government level is being enforced.
Mona Fortier, President of the Treasury Council of Canada, told BBC that the ban was a proactive measure to keep state secrets safe.
“On mobile devices, TikTok’s data collection methods provide substantial access to the phone’s content,” she said. “While the risks of using this app are clear, at this time we have no evidence that government information has been compromised.”
The European Commission said it banned the app to ensure that no data from members could be used against them in a possible cybersecurity attack.
Chris DeRusha, federal director of information security, told the Associated Press that the ban is a step in the government’s commitment to “ensure our digital infrastructure and protect the security and privacy of the American people.”
