A new study revealed that TikTok overtakes Facebook as Canada's least trusted social media app.
(Photo : Photo by BO AMSTRUP/Ritzau Scanpix/AFP via Getty Images)
A picture taken on February 28, 2023 in Randers, Denmark shows a hand holding a smartphone with the TikTok app on the screen. - Denmark's parliament announced February 28, 2023 that it had asked MPs and all staff to remove the TikTok app from mobile devices because of the "risk of spying".
There's no denying that TikTok has become among the most popular online platforms across the globe.
The new research, conducted by Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU), showed that TikTok's reach has tripled since 2019.
This just shows that TikTok is the fastest-growing social media app in Canada.
However, trust levels among Canadians are decreasing drastically.
TikTok Overtakes Facebook as Canada's Least Trusted App
According to Global News CA's latest report, the trust levels of social media platforms have declined in Canada; with only one out of 10 Canadians trusting these apps.
(Photo : Photo by TOLGA AKMEN/AFP via Getty Images)
A photograph taken on February 9, 2022 shows the logo of video-focused social networking service TikTok, at the TikTok UK office, in London. - With a billion users, TikTok has rapidly become one of the most important players in the music industry, and now has its sights set on revolutionising the way artists are discovered and get paid.
TMU's latest study pointed out that TikTok is now the least trusted app in Canada, replacing Facebook.
"The controversy around TikTok and the Chinese parent ownership and where our data is going ... has been swirling for a while, so I think that's breaking through in the Canadian consciousness," explained TMU Leadership Lab's Policy Director Sam Andrey.
One of the major concerns of Canadians is the connection of TikTok's owner, ByteDance, to China.
TikTok Puts Data Privacy at Risk
The linkage of ByteDance to China is a big deal for many users, as well as regulators.
This is because China is well known for demanding access to user data.
Because of this, many people believe that TikTok provides its user database to the Chinese government.
MakeUseOf reported that TikTok can put your data privacy at risk in numerous ways, such as the following:
- TikTok can drastically increase your digital footprint, making you more vulnerable to stalking, phishing attacks, and other malicious campaigns.
- The TikTok app has lots of security vulnerabilities that can put your data at risk of cybersecurity attacks.
- TikTok collects lots of sensitive user details.
If you want to learn more about why TikTok can put your data privacy at risk, just click here.
In other news, new TikTok EU data security measures with Project Clover were confirmed.
We also reported that TikTok redirect links to app store pages were blocked by the video platform.
For more news updates about TikTok and other social media apps, always keep your tabs open here at TechTimes.
Related Article: Researchers Can Access TikTok User Data: US Gov and Regulators can Take a Look
