TikTok is a controversial video-sharing app that previously sparked concern among users when it comes to data privacy. Some people believe that they are being watched when using the app.
According to the latest report, the ByteDance-owned app has updated its privacy policy so that its employees from other countries such as China can have access to your personal data on the platform.
TikTok Staff Have Access to User Data
(Photo : Solen Feyissa from Unsplash)
As The Guardian writes in its report on Wednesday, Nov.2, TikTok announced that its employees can go over your information on the app. This, by any means, is deemed to be ideal so that the platform could bring a "consistent, enjoyable, and safe" experience to the users.
The article also notes that European user data is all over the place and staff from the US, Singapore, Israel, Canada, and Brazil can also access the stored data on the system.
"Based on a demonstrated need to do their job, subject to a series of robust security controls and approval protocols, and by way of methods that are recognized under the GDPR [the EU's general data protection regulation], we allow certain employees within our corporate group located in Brazil, Canada, China, Israel, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, and the United States, remote access to TikTok European user data," Elain Fox, the head of privacy of TikTok in Europe said in a statement.
Related Article: Leaked TikTok Documents Show How App Disassociates Itself From China!
Why TikTok Wants to Access Your Data
According to ByteDance, TikTok's parent firm, accessing the user data can help in improving the algorithm performance on the platform. This would mean that it could help the app to detect bots and malicious accounts. Additionally, this could also give recommendations for content that users want to consume online.
Back in July, Shou Zi Chew, a TikTok chief executive clarified via a letter that the data being accessed by foreign staff is a "narrow set of non-sensitive" user data.
In short, if the TikTok security team in the US gives a green light for data access, then there's no problem viewing the data coming from American users.
Chew added that the Chinese government officials do not have access to these data so it won't be a big deal to every consumer.
The change is in line with the privacy policy update which will take effect on Dec. 2. This would be applicable to the UK, Switzerland, and the European Economic Area.
However, the regulation still faces scrutiny from critics who protest that the user data should be stored in a safe place for confidentiality purposes.
Meanwhile, US FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr told Reuters that TikTok should be immediately banned in the US. He added that he was suspicious as to how ByteDance handles all of the US-based data on the app.
Read Also: TikTok's Global Chief Security Officer Steps Down as Company Faces Scrutiny from US Lawmakers
This article is owned by Tech Times
Written by Joseph Henry
