TikTok tracks user data even without app usage
TL;DR
TikTok is tracking user data even when the app isn't in use. This practice raises privacy concerns as it expands its data collection methods.
TikTok is tracking user data even when they are not using the app, a practice that intensified after the sale of the platform's operations in the United States. The new tracking system, which includes an updated pixel, collects sensitive information about users' private lives, such as health diagnoses and personal preferences.
Recently, it was revealed that websites using TikTok's pixel send data to the company's servers, even if visitors have never created an account. This tracking extends to 5% of the world's top websites, according to DuckDuckGo, which notes that this practice is similar to that of other tech giants like Google and Meta.
TikTok's data collection becomes even more invasive with the implementation of new features that allow the platform to track users after they leave the app. This could increase the number of companies willing to advertise on TikTok, expanding its data empire. Privacy experts, such as Patrick Jackson from Disconnect, criticize these practices, stating that the new pixel is "extremely invasive" and captures information in a silent and non-transparent manner.
To protect themselves, users are advised to use privacy-focused browsers like DuckDuckGo or Brave and to install extensions to block trackers. However, experts warn that the real solution for online privacy requires legislative changes to regulate data collection by tech companies.
In summary, TikTok has expanded its tracking practices, capturing sensitive information from users who have never accessed its app. Awareness and the adoption of privacy tools are essential to protect personal data in the digital age.
Content selected and edited with AI assistance. Original sources referenced above.
