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Is TikTok sharing data with the Chinese government | Four Corners and triple j Hack investigate

Introduction

TikTok has emerged as the most popular social media app globally, boasting almost a billion users who engage in watching and creating videos. Originally launched as Douyin in China, it is owned by Beijing-based startup ByteDance, which has skyrocketed in value to approximately $ 250 billion. With about a quarter of the world's population using TikTok, vast amounts of user data are generated and shared with this single platform, which has substantial control over how the data is utilized.

The app collects various forms of data from its users, granting it access to sensitive information such as camera and microphone inputs, contact lists, and GPS location. Furthermore, TikTok gathers facial data whenever users create videos or apply filters. This biometric data can be analyzed to reveal numerous personality and demographic traits, essentially allowing the app to create a detailed profile of its users.

Scientists have developed a tool referred to as the "biometric mirror," utilizing artificial intelligence to assess attributes such as intelligence, appearance, responsibility, and emotional stability. This analysis has made some users uneasy as the implications of such data collection could lead to significant consequences in various life domains, including employment opportunities.

Concerns have been raised about the potential for ByteDance to be compelled to share user data with the Chinese government. Experts highlight the national security implications of this, especially considering the vast amounts of personal data TikTok could have access to—ranging from videos taken in private spaces to knowledge about family interactions. Given the power the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) exerts over domestic tech companies, skepticism about how platforms like TikTok could be used for surveillance and censorship is warranted.

ByteDance’s compliance with government pressure has been documented, such as the public apology from its former CEO in 2018 when the company faced backlash for failing to promote the values of the CCP. This incident raises questions about the company's commitment to pushing the party's narratives globally.

As various countries begin to respond to these concerns, TikTok has already been banned in India and faced hefty fines in the U.S. and South Korea for mishandling children's data. In Australia, Prime Minister Scott Morrison ordered an intelligence agency review of TikTok, which ultimately resulted in a determination that there was insufficient evidence to enforce a ban, despite calls for a more thorough examination of the platform.

While TikTok asserts that Australian users' data is stored on U.S. and Singaporean servers and claims not to yield to the Chinese government's content moderation requests, experts argue for a more rigorous assessment of the risks associated with TikTok. They caution that examining the app alone overlooks a broader context of extensive data collection and artificial intelligence at play, as well as the strategic influence efforts by China.

Keywords

  • TikTok
  • ByteDance
  • Chinese government
  • Data collection
  • Biometric data
  • National security
  • Censorship
  • Surveillance
  • Artificial intelligence
  • Content moderation

FAQ

1. What is TikTok and who owns it?
TikTok is a popular social media app for sharing and creating short videos. It is owned by the Beijing-based startup ByteDance.

2. How does TikTok collect user data?
TikTok collects various data types, including camera and microphone access, GPS location, contact lists, and biometric facial data when users create or edit videos.

3. What is the "biometric mirror"?
The biometric mirror is an AI-based tool that analyzes facial data to determine attributes like intelligence, attractiveness, and emotional stability.

4. Are there concerns about TikTok sharing data with the Chinese government?
Yes, there are significant concerns about whether ByteDance would be compelled to share user data with the Chinese government, potentially leading to surveillance and censorship.

5. Has TikTok faced legal issues regarding data privacy?
Yes, TikTok has been banned in India and fined in both the U.S. and South Korea for mishandling children's data.

6. What steps have been taken in other countries regarding TikTok?
In Australia, an intelligence review was conducted, but the Prime Minister stated there wasn't enough evidence for a ban. Further scrutiny and assessments of TikTok are being advocated by experts.

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