Does Tiktok track my location? This question is in the minds of many users of this famous social media app.
Unfortunately, and rightfully so, TikTok has given the world enough reason to be suspicious. In 2020 Trump accused the application of being data intrusive, and the news spread like wildfire.
Surprisingly, the app has seen steady growth throughout the years. The interface and format are so fun that most users don’t heed what’s been said about it. Do you want to learn whether TikTok uses your data and whether it is safe? Then keep on reading.
TikTok is one of the fastest-growing social apps in the world, Thanks to the approximately 775 million users that enjoy this application. After Facebook and Instagram, TikTok has quickly become the third-largest network worldwide. Considering that it was released years after the other two applications, TikTok still has a great chance to take the first position soon.
Additionally, with the increase in users, the average time one spends scrolling through the app is also increasing. According to a survey, the applications’ use time is growing by over 700% yearly. So, we can safely say that TikTok, despite all the damaging footage it gets, continues to soar high.
The app’s short clips and accessible editing format make it popular among users. Once you make your ID, you’re bound to get it quickly. Yes, it’s that fascinating. Its popularity can be determined by the fact that TikTok challenges and dances are becoming mainstream and famous around the globe.
Yes, TikTok does track the location of its users. Besides, there are many other privacy concerns regarding the popular social media app. It is one of the most downloaded and used apps, but it all comes with its fair share of data theft and intrusion risks.
Many countries have banned the app, and many others plan to do so in the future. The reason is that the Chinese app often tracks and accesses people’s data. Therefore, it is highly criticized by the rest of the world.
Though the Chinese government denies doing that, most users know that their movies are being recorded. The app can get your data and information even if you’re signed out. It uses cookies and trackers to keep tabs on the users.
The app records things like IP addresses, user searches, messages, viewing history, and the content of the text messages you send. So, if you’re concerned about your online safety, it’s wise to avoid using this application.
If you’re a TikTok user, you must know that a new user has to enter their phone number into the app. It is the easiest way of making a new account. But recent studies have shown that the app uses your phone number to track your location.
China launched the TikTok app in 2016, and since then, it has been under the radar of many countries for a few reasons. Intrusion or privacy and location tracking are one of them. Recently, the news has been getting viral of TikTok using mobile phones to track the activities of users online and their location.
Even though the validity of the news is not yet confirmed but it’s better to stay safe as much as possible. So, we advise you to remove your phone number from the app’s settings. It will give you a chance to secure your online presence.
As daunting as it sounds, you can track the location of fellow TikTok users through the app. TikTok Location Tracker by iStaunch is an excellent app for this purpose. First, you can get the IP address of the user, which will then help you to get their approximate location.
Here’s how you can use the tool:
Though this process might seem wrong to most users, it is not. An IP address is not confidential information; you can view it if you don’t plan to disturb or threaten the other user.
When it comes to social media, none of the apps is completely safe. Facebook has often been accused of storing a user’s data, and other apps are also on the list. Each application has specific terms and conditions regarding user privacy and data, but most won’t budge about it.
Because no one is held responsible for their actions, no matter how often a government decides to ban or remove an application, people will still find a way to use it. So, the online privacy of every user is their responsibility. Therefore, looking at the higher authorities to keep your data safe won’t benefit many.
India has banned the app since 2020 due to security threats and data leakage issues. Many other countries are also on the list as they suspect that TikTok might be an issue for their people.
Though the company has stated numerous times that they don’t store user data, others seldom believe them. Russia, Indonesia, and Bangladesh have also banned or censored the app over different concerns.
When it comes to the USA, the app is banned on government phones. The authorities have threatened a total ban repeatedly, but the consequences are yet to follow.
Now that you’re aware of the app’s rating, you can decide. Indeed TikTok is a fun and easy-to-use app, but its moral standing is not that strong. So, are you willing to risk your online security by using TikTok on your phone?