How China Uses TikTok to Collect Your Personal Data, and Why You Should Be Concerned

Introduction

TikTok, the world's most downloaded app, is best known for its short viral videos and enjoys tens of millions of users in the U.S. However, the app operates by collecting extensive data from its users, including account information, search history, content created through the platform, and users' locations and behavioral data. While companies like Facebook and Google also collect similar data, TikTok’s Chinese ownership raises unique concerns.

The Role of China’s National Security Law

China has a national security law that mandates all entities within its jurisdiction to support its espionage and national security efforts. This legislation means Chinese companies, including TikTok, must provide all the data they collect to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) without exception. Brendan Carr, a commissioner at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), points out that TikTok is among other entities such as Huawei, ZTE, and China Mobile, all of which have histories of nefarious activities including industrial espionage and blackmail. The fear is not about the videos themselves, but the underlying data being sent en masse to China.

Investigations and Threats of Ban

In 2019, the Treasury Department launched an investigation into the national security implications of TikTok. A year later, President Donald Trump threatened to ban the app unless it sold its operations to a U.S. company. Despite these concerns, TikTok continued to assert that it had never shared data with the Chinese government and that American users' data were secure.

Uncovered Revelations

In June, BuzzFeed accessed leaked tapes from internal meetings at TikTok revealing that everything on the platform could be seen in China. The tapes disclosed minimal checks on what data could be transferred to China. In response, TikTok assured lawmakers that new steps were being taken to protect American data, including using U.S.-based cloud services. However, TikTok’s CEO conceded that some China-based engineers would still need access to the app, indirectly allowing Beijing access to the data as well.

Security Concerns Around the Algorithm

One of the most critical concerns involves TikTok's algorithm, which requires work that still needs to be done in China. Gordon Chang, a China expert and author, notes that control of the algorithm allows China to influence American public opinion. He asserts that in 2020, the Chinese military used TikTok to incite violence in America and promote drug use to interfere with U.S. political processes.

Bipartisan Call to Action

Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle have expressed growing concerns over TikTok. The Senate Intelligence Committee has called for an investigation by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), citing what they believe is overwhelming evidence against TikTok. The FTC is being urged to investigate TikTok under the grounds of deceptive practices.

Furthermore, the heads of the FBI and the United Kingdom's MI5 have warned about the threat posed by the Chinese Communist Party, which is covertly applying global pressure. Senator Mark Warner insists that passing data privacy legislation may be the last bipartisan issue addressable before the midterm elections.

Key Takeaways

In conclusion, the personal data TikTok collects may be used by the Chinese government for various nefarious purposes that could compromise American security. Lawmakers and security experts are calling for stringent actions, investigations, and regulations to mitigate these risks.

Keywords

TikTok
Data Collection
Chinese Communist Party (CCP)
National Security Law
Espionage
Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
Algorithm
Data Privacy Legislation
U.S. Cloud Services
Federal Trade Commission (FTC)

FAQ

Q1: What kind of data does TikTok collect? TikTok collects various types of data including account information, search history, the content created through the platform, users' locations, and behavioral information.

Q2: Why is TikTok's data collection concerning? TikTok's data collection is concerning due to its Chinese ownership. Chinese companies are required by law to provide any collected data to the Chinese government, raising national security concerns.

Q3: Has TikTok shared data with the Chinese government? While TikTok has maintained it has never shared data with the Chinese government, leaked tapes indicate that data from TikTok can be accessed in China, contradicting the company's assurances.

Q4: What steps are being taken to secure American data on TikTok? TikTok has moved to use U.S.-based cloud services to store and operate American data but admits that some China-based engineers will still require access to the app.

Q5: What are the risks associated with TikTok's algorithm? The main security risk is that control of the algorithm allows China to influence American public opinion, as evidenced by actions taken by the Chinese military to incite violence and promote drug use in the U.S.

Q6: What actions are U.S. lawmakers proposing? Lawmakers are calling for investigations by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and pushing for data privacy legislation to address these security concerns.