TikTok’s New Privacy Policy: 3 Major Data Collection Changes
▼ Summary
– TikTok is requiring US users to agree to new terms of service and a privacy policy as part of its transition to a new, American-majority owned corporate entity.
– A major change is the collection of precise GPS location data from US users who enable location services, whereas before it only collected approximate location.
– The new policy explicitly states that TikTok will collect and store data from user interactions with its AI tools, including prompts and generated responses.
– TikTok has expanded its advertising network to use collected data for targeting users with ads outside of the TikTok app, including through publisher partners.
– These significant privacy changes are presented in a mandatory pop-up that users might accept without fully understanding the implications.
Opening the TikTok app today, many users in the United States encountered a mandatory pop-up requiring them to accept updated terms of service and a revised privacy policy before they could continue using the platform. This shift is a direct result of TikTok’s reorganization under new, U.S.-based ownership, a move mandated by the government to address national security concerns. The platform is now operated by TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC, a corporate entity with American-majority ownership that includes the tech firm Oracle. While it’s tempting to simply tap “agree” and return to scrolling, these changes grant the company significantly broader data collection powers, including the ability to gather precise location information. A spokesperson for TikTok USDS declined to provide further comment on the updated policies.
One of the most significant updates involves the collection of precise geolocation data. Previously, the app explicitly stated it did not gather GPS-based location information from its U.S. user base. The old policy limited collection to approximate location derived from sources like SIM card data and IP addresses. The new terms mark a substantial departure. If a user grants the app permission to access their device’s location services, TikTok may now collect granular, precise location data. This practice aligns the platform with other major social media apps like Instagram and X, which also utilize similar tracking methods.
A second major change introduces explicit language concerning artificial intelligence. User interactions with TikTok’s AI features are now formally categorized as collectible data. This new section covers any prompts, questions, or files submitted to AI-powered tools, along with the generated responses. Furthermore, associated metadata, details about how, when, and where these interactions occur, is automatically logged. This data can be linked back to individual accounts, creating a comprehensive record of user engagement with the platform’s AI functionalities.
The third key amendment expands TikTok’s advertising ecosystem in a way that may affect users beyond the app itself. The updated policy allows TikTok to leverage the data it collects to serve targeted advertisements across a wider network of third-party websites and apps. This means user information can be used to tailor ads encountered during general web browsing, not just within the TikTok experience. The policy now also explicitly names “publishers” as a type of partner, indicating broader collaboration for data-sharing and ad targeting purposes. While this change might be less immediately visible, it significantly extends the reach of TikTok’s advertising influence based on user profiling.
(Source: Wired)
