The U.S. government recently made a decision that affects ByteDance apps on government devices. Starting on August 15, U.S. House of Representatives staffers are prohibited from using apps like TikTok and several others. ByteDance, the company behind these apps, has ties to Communist China, which has raised concerns about the data collected by these apps.
These apps not only collect personal information like names, ages, phone numbers, and locations but also gather data on your device, biometric identifiers, messages, purchase information, online activities, and more. TikTok’s data collection practices are so extensive that it can almost replicate your entire phone.
In response to these privacy concerns, some measures have been taken. For example, TikTok claims to have changed its systems to store American data in the U.S. However, the location of data storage remains a major concern for Congress.
Another app that has raised privacy issues is Temu, a popular shopping app that offers low prices on a variety of products. Owned by a Chinese company, Temu can monitor activities on other apps, track notifications, read private messages, and access your contacts, calendars, and social media accounts.
If you are concerned about the data collected by these apps, there are steps you can take to protect your privacy. You can delete apps from your Android or iPhone by following simple steps. Additionally, you can install apps like TikTok on an old device that is not connected to sensitive information or use a separate data plan to access them.
It is essential to be aware of the data collection practices of the apps you use and take steps to protect your privacy online. By understanding the risks and taking precautions, you can navigate the digital world more safely.