Is TikTok Safe? Exploring the Safety Concerns

July 2, 2021 By Janne Smith No Comments 6 minutes

Sprout Social reports TikTok as the highest-grossing app of 2023, but is TikTok safe? Yes, it’s as safe as other social media platforms. However, its legitimacy doesn’t make you safe from cyber threats.

Note: Your data is never safe online, even if you’re using legitimate social media platforms like TikTok. First, cyber threats are always there, and your IP is the first hint of a potential cyber-attack. Using FastestVPN conceals your IP address, meaning you’re never traceable to steal the data from.

Secondly, TikTok’s algorithm only shows relevant content, i.e., you’ll see TikToks based on your geographical location. However, connecting to FastestVPN is the best way to see more global content. The VPN changes your TikTok location based on the server’s location, and you’ll start seeing global content in no time!

Exploring the Safety Concerns: Is TikTok Safe?

Why is Tik Tok bad? Various reasons contribute to it. However, a few of these concerns also resemble other social media platforms. Here are the  common reasons contributing to “Is TikTok dangerous?”

1. Threat to Children’s Safety

Here’s the first reason to why is Tik Tok bad. Outside of data collection, there are reports about TikTok targeting underage girls. It’s scary – perhaps more than anything else about TikTok related to is TikTok dangerous. The implications of predators using the app to target minors are backed by evidence.

In 2019, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) hit TikTok with a $5.7 million penalty for failing to comply with COPPA. The Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) protects the privacy of users under the age of 13 and directs services to ensure parental consent before collecting data on such users.

The case concluded that Musical.ly (now known as TikTok) failed to follow protocol despite knowing many users were under the legal age.

2. Data Collection Policies

Here’s what to know: Does TikTok steal your information? TikTok’s privacy policy outlines its data collection policies. While the list is long, here’s the gist. The social media platform collects the following information:

• User profile image, contact number, email ID, age, and language.
• Your TikTok searches.
• All uploaded content.
• Accessible information via the “publicly available sources.”
• Third-party data.
• Your keystroke patterns and location.
• All messages sent and received.

With all the information mentioned above, TikTok reserves the right to use it to recommend relevant content on the For You Page. And it’s the relevance that makes TikTok attract a massive audience!

3. Mental Health Concerns

Wondering why is Tik Tok bad? Whether it’s TikTok, Instagram, or any other social media platform accounting for your never-improving sleep cycle, the former can be bad for your mental health. Thanks to the algorithm, TikTok collects, analyzes, and shows relevant content. Following this, you keep mindlessly scrolling. Various documentaries explain this social media addiction, including “TikTok,” “The Social Dilemma,” and others.

4. Lingering Cyber Threats and Scams

Unlike in the past, TikTok now features various improvements in different regards, including online scams, which often contribute to why is Tik Tok bad. According to a report by FTC, social media is a goldmine for all scammers. These frauds are usually accompanied by too-good-to-be-true offers, giveaways, and other alluring offers that trap social media users.

A few of these scams include:

• Fake giveaways or cash prizes
• Phishing
• Fake products via businesses
• Fake influencer accounts

Illustrating the scams, you might get asked to make an easy investment with alluring returns, follower boosts, or even romance scams for which a pool of users falls. Meanwhile, social media phishing can also occur. All your personal data will be compromised, especially your bank information.

You can elevate your account safety by using a reliable VPN like FastestVPN. Connecting to the VPN will protect you from unintended malware installations. Additionally, using an antivirus program can be useful.

Can TikTok Access Everything on Your Phone?

Does TikTok steal your information? No, TikTok can’t access everything on your phone. Instead, it will only collect your account information for relevant content suggestions. However, you’re never safe online, and cyber threats will be there if you don’t connect to a VPN.

To clear the air about is TikTok dangerous and does TikTok steal your information, here’s only a bit about the information TikTok collects:

1. Direct Messages

TikTok monitors all the messages you send and receive. This data collection is clearly outlined in TikTok’s privacy policy.

2. Device’s Location

TikTok tracks your device’s location to offer relevant content. For example, living in the US, you’ll mostly see content the US audience prefers. However, you can change your virtual location by connecting to a VPN. This way, you’ll be able to access the global content without location restrictions.

3. In-app Purchases

TikTok records all your purchases made via the app. For example, if you’ve set up a TikTok store or buying from one, TikTok will record the purchases. However, this doesn’t include TikTok tracking your monetary information. That part remains confidential.

What Are the Safe Guidelines for TikTok?

Is TikTok dangerous, and does TikTok steal your information? Before deciding to delete your TikTok account, here are 5 tips to ensure safety on TikTok and mitigate the common safety issues:

1. Review Application Permissions

While most blindly agree to the required application permissions, reviewing what the app asks for is important. TikTok requires access to the mic and camera, but it might also ask for other permissions.

So, does TikTok steal your information? For this, you must always review the permissions required by the app before approving them. Ensure that it doesn’t ask for permissions that include accessing your personal information.

2. Enable Account Privacy

You can either opt for a public or a private account. This way, you can decide who can view your profile and who cannot. If you prefer keeping your posts and profile private, it’s best to enable account privacy to ensure zero intrusions.

3. Set a Screen Time

With increasing content consumption and shorter content creation, not everyone focuses on everything posted online, resulting in mindless scrolling. Also, increased screen time can be bad for your health. For this, we recommend setting a screen time for TikTok to ensure you only consume a specific time online.

Final Words

There will always be privacy concerns regardless of which social media platform you use. It will come down to which platform collects the least data and is more capable of protecting your information. It’s a conscious decision that you alone can make. Several people have announced withdrawal from the app, but if you find yourself hard-pressed to hit the uninstall button, follow our tips to improve privacy.

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