How to use TikTok without handing over personal data to China
Title: TikTok: Using the App Without Compromising Your Personal Information
Subtitle: Expert Offers Alternative for Maintaining Privacy
I’ve been saying it for months: Get TikTok off your phone. It’s not the only China-based app you need to worry about. Temu, the app that lets you “shop like a billionaire,” isn’t worth the deals. That’s not all. If you still want to use TikTok, you can without handing over all your information to communist China.
In a bid to ensure user safety, tech expert Kim Komando advises TikTok users on how to use the app without compromising their personal information. Plain and simple, TikTok is a national security threat. The Chinese-owned social media platform’s parent company ByteDance, based in Beijing, is required by Chinese law to grant the government access to collected data.
TikTok collects a vast amount of data, including search and browsing history, facial ID, voice prints, texts, location, and photos. Despite government agencies and even the state of Montana banning the app, it remains incredibly popular, being used by about two-thirds of teens in the U.S.
So, what are your options? Unfortunately, simply browsing TikTok on the web won’t cut it as there is still a significant amount of tracking. However, Komando suggests purchasing a low-cost smartphone, also known as a burner phone, for the sole purpose of using social media. A basic cheap Android phone should suffice; there’s no need for anything fancy. The key is to refrain from linking it to any primary accounts and starting fresh.
When using the burner phone, refrain from logging into your Google account, Apple ID, company email, personal email, or any other sensitive personal or financial information. Instead, create a new email account specifically for the burner phone and your TikTok account. By doing so, even if TikTok collects data from your device, it won’t be tied to your actual personal information. Remember to exercise caution regarding what you share with the app or in your posts.
While the burner phone keeps your personal information separate, it is still connected to your home’s Wi-Fi, eliminating the need for a cellular data plan. However, it is crucial to be mindful of your network. If your burner phone were to become infected with malware, it could potentially impact other devices on your network. To counter this, Komando suggests setting up a guest network in your home. This allows guests or chosen devices to access the internet without compromising the security of other devices on your main network.
Most routers have the option to enable a “Guest Network” in the settings. Depending on your router, this can be done through an app or the web interface. Accessing your router admin page from a computer requires the device’s IP address and admin password, which can usually be found in the user guide or through online resources. Give your guest network a distinct name from your regular network to avoid accidentally connecting to the wrong one on your new TikTok phone.
FAQs:
1. Is TikTok a national security threat?
Yes, TikTok, a Chinese-owned social media platform, poses a national security threat due to its parent company ByteDance being based in Beijing. Chinese law requires ByteDance to provide the government with access to collected data.
2. What data does TikTok collect?
TikTok collects various forms of data, including search and browsing history, facial ID, voice prints, texts, location, and photos.
3. Can I use TikTok without compromising my personal information?
Tech expert Kim Komando advises using a low-cost smartphone specifically for social media, known as a burner phone. By refraining from linking the phone to any primary accounts and creating a new email account solely for the burner phone and TikTok, users can avoid having their personal information compromised.
4. Can I use a burner phone connected to my home’s Wi-Fi?
Yes, a burner phone can be connected to your home’s Wi-Fi, eliminating the need for a cellular data plan.
5. How can I ensure the security of other devices on my network if I use a burner phone?
Setting up a guest network on your router allows specific devices to access the internet without compromising the security of other devices on your main network. Most routers offer a “Guest Network” option in the settings, which can be accessed through an app or web interface. Ensure that the guest network has a distinct name from your regular network to avoid any accidental connections.
“Ensuring Data Privacy: A Guide to Using TikTok without Compromising Personal Information to China”
Title: National Security Concerns Surrounding TikTok: Experts Advise Usage Precautions
Content:
For months, experts have been warning about the risks associated with keeping TikTok on your mobile device. However, it is important to note that TikTok is not the only China-based app that raises concerns. Another troubled app, Temu, touted as a platform for affluent shopping experiences, also falls short of delivering its promised benefits. In light of these concerns, users must exercise caution when using TikTok and consider alternative measures to protect their personal information from prying eyes.
Renowned technology guru Kim Komando shares valuable advice on how TikTok users can navigate the platform without compromising their privacy. TikTok, owned by Chinese parent company ByteDance, poses a significant national security threat. By law, ByteDance is obliged to provide the Chinese government with access to collected user data. This data includes sensitive details such as browsing and search history, facial ID, voice prints, texts, location, and even photos. Despite being banned by government agencies and the state of Montana, TikTok remains highly popular in the United States and is used by approximately two-thirds of American teenagers.
How can users protect themselves? Merely browsing TikTok on the web is insufficient, as significant tracking still occurs. A practical solution is to invest in a low-cost smartphone, commonly known as a “burner phone,” solely dedicated to social media usage. A basic Android device will suffice, as there is no need for advanced features. However, it is crucial not to link this phone to any primary accounts, such as those connected to Google, Apple, work email, personal email, or any other vital information. Instead, create a new email account exclusively for this phone and your TikTok account. This way, even if TikTok or any other app collects data from the device, it remains detached from your actual personal details. Yet, it is imperative to be cautious about the information you share on the app and in your posts. While the burner phone may be connected to your home’s Wi-Fi, there is no need to purchase a cellular data plan.
Nonetheless, users must remain mindful of network security. Connecting a device to your home network exposes it to the same digital environment as your other devices. For instance, if your “burner phone” becomes infected with malware, it could potentially compromise other devices on your network. To mitigate this risk, Komando recommends setting up a guest network within your home. Guest networks allow specific devices, or guests, to access the internet while being isolated from other devices on the primary network. Most routers facilitate the enabling of a “Guest Network” option through either an app or web interface. To access router settings, you will typically require the device’s IP address and admin password, which can usually be found in the user guide or through online resources. Ensure that your guest network has a distinctive name to avoid inadvertently connecting to the wrong network when using your new TikTok phone.
By adhering to these practices, TikTok users can limit their exposure to potential security risks while continuing to enjoy the app’s features. Safeguarding privacy and security is of paramount importance in an age where digital threats are omnipresent.