TikTok's new US joint venture has updated its privacy policy to include the collection of precise location data from its 200 million American users, a shift from its previous practice of collecting only approximate location information. The policy change was published Thursday after investors finalized a deal with TikTok's Chinese owner, ByteDance, to manage the app's US operations.
The updated privacy terms state that the venture may now "collect precise location data, depending on your settings." Previously, TikTok collected location data based on a user's SIM card or IP address, but stopped short of collecting precise GPS information. The company policy stipulates that sensitive personal information will be processed "in accordance with applicable law" and that users can disable location services in their device settings. TikTok did not immediately respond to the BBC's request for comment on the change.
Precise location data, often gathered through GPS or Wi-Fi triangulation, can pinpoint a user's location within a few meters, offering a far more granular understanding of their movements than approximate location data derived from IP addresses, which typically only identifies a general geographic area. This level of detail could potentially be used for targeted advertising, personalized content recommendations, or even tracking user behavior patterns.
The move raises questions about data privacy and security, particularly given TikTok's history of scrutiny regarding its data handling practices and its relationship with the Chinese government. While the company asserts that data will be processed according to applicable laws, concerns remain about how this data will be stored, secured, and potentially shared.
The establishment of the US joint venture and the subsequent privacy policy update are part of an effort to address regulatory concerns and ensure the app's continued operation in the United States. The deal with investors aims to create a firewall between the US operations and ByteDance, with the intention of safeguarding user data and ensuring compliance with US laws. The long-term implications of this new data collection policy and its impact on user trust remain to be seen.
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