TikTok's Latest Privacy Policy Shift Raises Concerns Over User Data
The social media platform has made significant changes to its privacy policy, citing a shift in ownership from Chinese control to a new American-majority corporate entity. As part of this transition, TikTok now collects more detailed information about its users, including precise location data.
Previously, the app did not collect the precise, GPS-derived location data of US users. However, under the new policy, if you grant TikTok permission to use your phone's location services, the app may now collect granular information about your exact whereabouts. This change is part of a broader trend among social media platforms, with other apps like Instagram and X also collecting precise location data.
The updated policy also includes new provisions on AI interactions. Users' interactions with TikTok's AI tools will be explicitly tracked and collected by the platform, including prompts and responses generated by these tools. Metadata attached to user interactions with AI tools may also be automatically logged.
Furthermore, TikTok has expanded its advertising network, allowing it to further leverage user data to serve more relevant ads both within and outside of the app. The new policy also explicitly mentions publishers as partners that provide new data to the platform.
The changes are part of a larger shift in how social media platforms collect and use user data. As users become increasingly aware of these practices, there is growing concern over data protection and the impact on online privacy.
The social media platform has made significant changes to its privacy policy, citing a shift in ownership from Chinese control to a new American-majority corporate entity. As part of this transition, TikTok now collects more detailed information about its users, including precise location data.
Previously, the app did not collect the precise, GPS-derived location data of US users. However, under the new policy, if you grant TikTok permission to use your phone's location services, the app may now collect granular information about your exact whereabouts. This change is part of a broader trend among social media platforms, with other apps like Instagram and X also collecting precise location data.
The updated policy also includes new provisions on AI interactions. Users' interactions with TikTok's AI tools will be explicitly tracked and collected by the platform, including prompts and responses generated by these tools. Metadata attached to user interactions with AI tools may also be automatically logged.
Furthermore, TikTok has expanded its advertising network, allowing it to further leverage user data to serve more relevant ads both within and outside of the app. The new policy also explicitly mentions publishers as partners that provide new data to the platform.
The changes are part of a larger shift in how social media platforms collect and use user data. As users become increasingly aware of these practices, there is growing concern over data protection and the impact on online privacy.
and it cracked me up. The way it just keeps jumping onto the counter and swiping at utensils is like, totally adorable 
. Anyway, back to TikTok... yeah, I'm not really sure what's going on with their new policy 
. More precise location data? That sounds kinda invasive 
. And now they're collecting metadata from AI interactions too? That's just getting weird 
. I mean, can't we just have a social media platform that doesn't collect all our personal info? Is that too much to ask? 
. On one hand, it's understandable that they need this kind of data to improve their app and provide better services. But on the other hand, we've all seen how social media platforms can get reckless with user data 
. I mean, have you seen the number of ads you see on Facebook? It's crazy! 
And now TikTok is expanding its ad network, which means they'll be collecting even more data to serve targeted ads. It's like they're saying, "Hey, we trust you to keep our data safe, but just in case, let's make a copy anyway 
.
. Like, if I'm having a conversation with TikTok's AI tool and it sends me a response, does that count as user data? 
. It's time for some serious change in the way social media companies handle user data 
.
data protection is super important and these changes are just gonna make me wanna delete my account ASAP!!! 
also i'm not down with the new ad network it's like they're taking it to the next level of creepy 
and don't even get me started on the AI tracking thing that sounds super invasive 
they're collecting our precise location data now? like what if I'm a hiker and i just wanna share my hike vids without them knowing where im at 
? and what about the AI tools?! are they gonna track me everywhere i go? 
I remember when I first got my first smartphone back in 2010, we thought we were living in the future with apps like WhatsApp and Facebook 
. Now, social media platforms are collecting more data than ever before... it's like they're reading our minds