TikTok’s ties to China: Why concerns over your data are here to stay

Harvesting data is the norm for social media apps, but the question that many have is where it goes and who has access to it

TikTok insists that the app is independent. “TikTok is an independent platform, with its own leadership team, including a CEO based in Singapore, a COO based in the US and a Global Head of Trust & Safety based in Ireland,” it says. File photo: AP/Kiichiro Sato

In 2021, Android phone users around the world spent 16.2 trillion minutes on TikTok. And while those millions and millions of users no doubt had an enjoyable time watching clips on the addictive social video app, they also generated a colossal amount of data.

TikTok collects information on how you consume its content, from the device you are using to how long you watch a post for and what categories you like, and uses that information to fine tune the algorithm for the app’s main feed.