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With 150 million active tiktokers in the U.S. and in-app revenue of approximately 780 million in 2022, TikTok allows you to share creative videos, synchronized clips, and fun challenges.
Despite its immense popularity, TikTok has made headlines for the wrong reasons. It was hit with huge fines and backlash due to violations of Data Protection Rules.
What Happened – Story Behind Data Privacy Settlement
It all started in 2019 when a California-based student accused TikTok of transferring data to China.
Later, in 2021, 21 federal lawsuits were filed against TikTok, primarily on behalf of minors. These states also alleged TikTok about the theft of private and personal data.
The accusations against TikTok, particularly under the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA), suggest that the company used biometric information without proper consent.
Biometric information typically includes data such as fingerprints, facial recognition, or voiceprints.
Furthermore, the claim that drafted and unposted videos were used for data mining raises concerns about privacy and how TikTok handles content.
Also, it was reported that TikTok was using users’ data on iPhones and Android and checking location, calendars, and contacts. TikTok was alleged to have sent this data to third parties in China.
Following this, federal lawsuits were filed against TikTok and parent company ByteDance for collecting sensitive information without their consent.
This action was referred to as a violation of Federal Law. All were called for a TikTok data privacy settlement, and the platform agreed to pay $92 million.
Is the TikTok Data Privacy Settlement Real?
Absolutely yes! The settlement does exist.
Judge John Lee of the Northern District of Illinois approved the lawsuit. As reported by the media, 21 class action complaints were filed against the company.
TikTok parent company, ByteDance, agreed to pay $92 million to settle this legal case by reimbursing the people in the United States who made claims related to data privacy violations.
It was declared that those who used TikTok before September 30, 2021, and submitted a claim by March 1, 2022, were to be compensated.
This step was taken to rectify the privacy violations. It also cited that the settlement resulted from legal documents filed in a U.S. court in Illinois.
TikTok responded to the allegations the same day papers were submitted. They stated that they certainly do not claim the allegations made against them.
They would instead focus on making TikTok an enjoyable platform for the people instead of going through a lengthy litigation process. It took considerable time for the settlement after several legal challenges as TikTok kept rejecting all accusations made against it.
“While we disagree with the assertions, rather than go through lengthy litigation, we’d like to focus our efforts on building a safe and joyful experience for the TikTok community,” said TikTok after agreeing to the settlement in February.
The Payout Incident
Many subscribers reported receiving a payout in TikTok data privacy settlement after the public announcement.
A large number of tiktokers conveyed their concerns regarding the emails they received. They took to Twitter to confirm the legitimacy of the emails.
Most subscribers reported to have received approximately $27.84, while others claimed higher amounts as well.
Instinctively, the tiktokers became suspicious and sought confirmation for the TikTok Data Privacy Settlement. In response, Media contacted TikTok for comments on the payout situation.
The payout email included information about the Virtual Prepaid Mastercard worth $27.84. Users also shared screenshots of their bank statements confirming an increase of $27.84 in the total balance.
Why did some people receive a larger Settlement?
The deadline tiktokers received for claiming TikTok Data Privacy settlement was 1 March 2022, either by online or US mail.
In other words, anyone who claimed to receive money from this settlement must have submitted their claim forms before that date.
This explains why a few people claimed to have received $162.
Why is this situation alarming?
The realization that the data of any subscriber can be put at risk on major social media platforms like TikTok is alarming. If anyone can access the data, it poses a threat to human rights and data safety.
For example, people share political views online, which may not be perceived positively after a few years. However, when this information gets stored, it can be used against you.
Some government agencies pressure social media platforms to hand over subscriber’s data to monitor and impose control. This takes away freedom of speech and expression from people.
Above that, the stored data can discriminate against people based on their thoughts, beliefs, or activities. Lack of data protection can also cause monetary losses or fraud.
Inadequate data protection leads to psychological distress for some as online harassment is becoming increasingly popular. Being scrutinized all the time takes a toll on people’s mental health.
Research also suggests that the side effects of harassment are similar to the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder. Therefore, you should be mindful of what data you share online, and maintaining your online security should be your first and foremost priority.
TikTok Data Protection Settlement – What Preventive Measures Can You Take?
Be aware of data theft while using popular social media applications like Tiktok. Here are some measures that you can take.
Read Review Policies
When you download an app, take a moment to read its privacy policy. It will explain how the app plans to treat your personal information.
Look for details on what kind of information the app wants to collect – is it just basic stuff like your name, or does it enjoy access to your location, contacts, or other personal details?
Once you know what data the app is after, check how it plans to use it. Does it want your location to provide better service, or is it sharing your details with third parties?
Understanding these aspects helps you decide if you’re comfortable with the app’s intentions. Reading the privacy policy will help you make informed choices about what you want to share in the digital space.
Be Cautious about App Permissions
When it comes to app permissions, think twice. It’s essential to be cautious and grant only the permissions the app needs to function.
When an app asks for permissions, question whether it genuinely requires access to your photos, contacts, or location for its core features.
Avoid granting unnecessary permissions. By being selective with app permissions, you maintain better control over your personal information.
It minimizes the risk of apps accessing and potentially misusing data you’d rather keep private.
Limit Location Tracking
Regarding digital privacy, prudent management of location tracking is essential. It is advisable to restrict location services only to applications that need this data for their core functionality.
Also, consider turning off tracking altogether when the location services are not actively required. This conserves battery life and safeguards sensitive location data from unnecessary exposure.
App Source or App Updates
Downloading apps exclusively from official app stores serves as an ultimate security measure.
Always download from reputable platforms, such as Google Play or the Apple App Store, to reduce the potential risks associated with malicious software.
Also, developers release updates to patch vulnerabilities and improve overall performance, so allowing these updates is a good habit.
By staying current, you benefit from the latest security features and improvements, creating a more resilient digital environment on your device.
Understanding Data Collection Practices
It’s crucial to discern and comprehend an app’s data collection practices. Always prioritize transparent apps about the information they gather and, more importantly, why they need it.
Avoiding applications with excessive data collection practices is essential to safeguarding your privacy.
Also, use a VPN while using TikTok to stay safe. A reliable VPN like PureVPN provides military-grade encryption and dedicated IP to avoid third-party shady traffic and protection.
Don’t get Carried Away With the Fun
Everyone wants to spend their free time in a way that keeps them engaged and productive, regardless of age. However, avoid getting carried away with the fun and putting your security at risk.
Taking adequate steps to maintain your safety and privacy online is mandatory. Hence, pay attention when giving access to social media apps.
At the same time, be mindful about using the proper social media application for time killing. Once your data is at risk, you can do very little to protect yourself.
Anas Hasan
October 11, 2023
3 years ago
