TikTok's Data Collection Empire Expands: How to Protect Your Privacy Even Without Using the App

TikTok is rapidly expanding its data collection empire. Even if you do not use the TikTok app, you are not necessarily safe. However, you can protect your privacy by adopting some simple measures.

It is common knowledge that TikTok monitors every activity you perform within its app. But what is surprising is that it also tracks you in other parts of the internet where TikTok has no apparent connection.

In fact, even if you have never used TikTok, it might be accumulating sensitive and confidential information about you. Recent studies show that various websites are sending highly personal information, such as cancer diagnoses, fertility status, and mental health details, to TikTok.

Invisible Spy: What is the Pixel?

The root of this problem lies in a change to TikTok's tracking tool called the 'Pixel'. The Pixel is a small, invisible image or code on the screen that loads in the background of websites. Google, Facebook (Meta), and other advertising networks have been using it for years.

For example, if you run a website selling shoes, you might use TikTok's Pixel. This gives TikTok data on which users viewed which shoes and made purchases, allowing TikTok to show those users relevant advertisements.

However, this becomes dangerous when it concerns health and sensitive topics. According to analysis by cybersecurity company Disconnect, when a user fills out details about being sick on a cancer support group website or views a fertility testing website, that information and email address reach TikTok. You do not need a TikTok account for this to happen.

TikTok's Data Empire

According to the privacy company DuckDuckGo, 5% of the world's top websites have TikTok trackers. Although this number is lower than Google (72%) and Meta (21%), TikTok is aggressively expanding this presence.

According to experts, TikTok's new Pixel code is more aggressive than before. It can intercept data intended to be sent to Google and keep it for itself, without the website owners even knowing.

How to Keep Yourself Safe?

The good news is that you can prevent your important information from falling into TikTok's hands by taking 5 minutes. Here are some methods:

1. Use a Secure Web Browser

The best approach is to use a privacy-focused browser instead of Chrome. Most people use Chrome, but it has been found to leak a lot of user information.

•       Use DuckDuckGo or Brave browser. These browsers are specifically designed to keep data secure.
•       Firefox and Safari are also safer alternatives than Chrome.

2. Install a Tracker Blocker Extension

If changing browsers seems difficult, install a tracker-blocking 'extension' on your current browser.

•       Extensions like Privacy Badger, Ghostery, or uBlock Origin are effective.
•       Do not install extensions haphazardly; only use extensions from trusted sources.

Does This Provide Complete Security?

The above measures help stop Pixel tracking, but this is not a complete solution. Companies also sell or exchange data directly to large tech companies from their servers via the back-end (behind the scenes).

Therefore, the strongest weapon for staying safe in the online world is awareness and avoiding the use of the same personal details in multiple places. Furthermore, strong privacy laws are equally necessary for this.

BBC