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TikTok users are warned of ‘excessive’ and ‘exciting’ data collection by the app.
Source: ABC Net AU
this week. Users of social media platform TikTok have been warned of the site’s ‘excessive’ data collection. In a report released on Monday, Internet 2.0, the cyber security firm accused the app of being a major ‘security flaw’.
In a report from July 18, the company described how Chinese parties and ISPs interacted to make the platform a ‘vulnerable source of information’ that is still pending further investigation. In addition, it looked at how ‘data collection, tracking, fingerprinting’ of user data is carried out across the site.
The company determined the type of data Tik Tok was collecting through an analysis of the source code of the Android version of the app. With it, trying to find out where exactly the information goes. The app indicated a piece of code for how the phone’s IMEI number was collected. Basically, TikTok identifies the devices by showing whether or not they have been reinstalled.
In addition, Internet 2.0 observed that 37% of known IP addresses on TikTok are associated with Alibaba. This Hangzhou-based internet service fell victim to a security breach in November 2019. In particular, this software developer saw a collection of over 1.1 billion user data.
“TikTok engages in excessive surveillance of its users, and some of the data collected is not stored on servers in China with ISP Alibaba.”
The company’s CEO, Robert Potter, tweeted after the report was published. He explained how all the research done for him was sent to Tik Tok to comment on the situation. They pointed out how the platform failed to register regarding their China-based infrastructure.
Additionally, a spokesperson for the social media platform spoke of how Internet 2.0 has made ‘baseless claims’ on behalf of the app. He argued that Tik Tok does not collect more data than other social networks. In the statement, it was noted how user data from TikTok is stored in the US and Singapore. They also described how TikTok has been ‘clear and vocal’ about adopting access controls such as encryption along with security controls to protect user data.
Finally, they explained how Tik Tok IP addresses are stored in Singapore, explaining how network traffic does not escape ‘the region’. He pointed out how the implication of a relationship or relationship with China is ‘far from the truth’.
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