What TikTok knows about us and how to protect our privacy in the app

tiktok It is one of the most popular applications worldwide. With millions of users, it is also a target for cybercriminals, who look for any gap to steal information and cause chaos.

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But the risks associated with the use of tiktokas with other social platforms, can be varied and affect both the personal security of the data and the general security of the devices, Julio Seminario, cybersecurity expert at Intecnia Corp, Bitdefender country Partner, tells El Comercio.

The privacy risks that exist when using Tiktok

For those who don’t know, Tiktok is a social network in which millions of users share vertical videos, most of them being short (but there are also long ones). Likewise, you can also exchange messages with friends, comment on posts and even share temporary videos (stories).

Tiktok is one of the most popular apps in the world. (Photo: Pixabay)

Now, what privacy risks exist when using TikTok? Here we leave you four points provided by Seminar:

The expert consulted by El Comercio indicated that Children, adolescents and young people can be “especially vulnerable to online risks”since they are exposed to contact with unknown people as well as inappropriate content for their ages.

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In that sense, what can we users do to strengthen our privacy? We have some options like adjust privacy and security settings, be careful with the links we access, avoid disclosing sensitive information with strangers, keep the app updated.

TikTok (Photo: AFP)

What TikTok knows about you

The phrase “when the product is free, the product is you” is often said. And that can be applied to free-to-use social networks, such as TikTok, Instagram or Facebook. Thus, when registering, Users provide their data to the platforms.

TikTok, for example, collects username, date of birth, email, phone number, contacts, profile photos or video and more, highlights the Bitdefender expert.

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“It also obtains information about the videos the user watches, what they like, comments they make, searches and the way they interact with other users.”says Seminario.

“Thus, collects certain information about the device you use to access the platform such as IP address, proxy, mobile operator, time zone setting, identifiers for advertising purposes, model of your device, device system, network type, identifiers of your device, its screen resolution and operating system, names and types of applications and files, keystroke patterns or rhythmsbattery status, audio settings and connected audio devices, geographic location via GPS”; he adds.

How to take care of our privacy

And if we want to continue using TikTok, we can also “reinforce” our privacy. In reality, what should be done is limit the information we provide publicly. Here are some points to take into account that the Bitdefender specialist highlights:

“We always recommend staying informed about the privacy policies and terms of service, reviewing them regularly as these policies may change. It is a way to know how user data is being used on TikTok and other platforms”, concludes the specialist.

Source: Elcomercio