Report: TikTok leak suggests users data not private | International News | English News | WION

Introduction

For years, the Chinese app TikTok has addressed data privacy concerns by claiming that the information gathered from United States users is stored on U.S. soil, rather than in China, where the platform's parent company, ByteDance, is located. However, newly leaked audio suggests otherwise, alleging that audio clips from over 80 TikTok meetings have been accessed by employees in China.

In response to these allegations, TikTok has issued a clarification, stating that all U.S. user information will be transferred to servers operated by Oracle Corporation. The platform has consistently denied concerns regarding the ability of Chinese engineers to access information about U.S. users that is not publicly available. TikTok's Chief Information Security Officer, Roland Claudia, stated that like other companies in the industry, they will continue to strive to limit the number of employees who can access user data and to control scenarios in which data access is granted.

In 2021, President Joe Biden revoked executive orders from his predecessor, Donald Trump, who sought to ban Chinese apps like TikTok and WeChat from the U.S. market over national security concerns. However, Biden has since issued a new executive order that calls for an evidence-based analysis to address potential risks stemming from internet applications controlled by foreign entities.

Keyword

TikTok, data privacy, ByteDance, Oracle Corporation, U.S. user data, national security, Joe Biden, Donald Trump, executive order, internet applications.

FAQ

Q1: What are the recent allegations regarding TikTok's data privacy?
A1: Recent leaked audio suggests that employees based in China accessed audio clips from over 80 TikTok meetings, raising concerns that user data may not be as secure as previously claimed.

Q2: What is TikTok's response to the data privacy concerns?
A2: TikTok has clarified that all U.S. user data will be transferred to servers at Oracle Corporation and has emphasized efforts to limit employee access to sensitive data.

Q3: Has the U.S. government taken action against TikTok?
A3: President Joe Biden revoked previous executive orders aimed at banning TikTok and WeChat but has issued new orders calling for an analysis of risks related to foreign-controlled internet applications.

Q4: Who is TikTok's parent company?
A4: TikTok's parent company is ByteDance, which is based in China.

Q5: What measures is TikTok taking to enhance user data security?
A5: TikTok aims to limit the number of employees with access to user data and to control the circumstances under which data access is permitted.