TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Many governments are considering changing laws to provide better security against TickTock, saying China uses this social media app to shape public opinions.
They argue that the Chinese government is collecting personal information, especially on devices in the public sector.
Taiwan’s government has already listed DouYin, the Chinese version of TikTok, as a product that could potentially endanger the country’s information security.
U.S. officials have also warned about data collection on users recently. The No TickTock on Government Devices Act is waiting for approval from the U.S. House to stop people from using the app on government devices.
Opponents contend that the app collects search and browsing history, potentially including keystroke patterns.
There are also concerns about allegations that the app collects biometric patterns, including face and voice print. These can be used to track activists and organize foreign influence campaigns.
This is a major concern knowing that the two main operating systems on the market, iOS and Android, both made in the U.S., supposedly protect users’ privacy.
Earlier this year, The Pegasus spyware was used to hack into government officials’ and activists’ phones worldwide. The Cambridge Analytical scandal in 2018 also showed that personal information can be used to shape public opinions during elections.
So, should we accept that social media platforms collect personal information?
In 2019, Taiwan passed the Anti-Infiltration Law to address the growing influence of China in Taiwan’s politics and the democratic process.
Now, it may be time to limit the information social media apps can collect, starting with Tiktok and beyond, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and the like.