What is TikTok?
TikTok is a social media platform designed for creating and sharing short videos. Users can create and share videos with music, effects, and more. It has over 500 million users. TikTok is owned by ByteDance Ltd., a Chinese company with offices around the world, and was launched in 2016.
What is ByteDance Ltd. and who owns ByteDance?
ByteDance Ltd. is a Chinese internet technology company that provides services, including content curation, AI-based search, mobile applications and other services. The company owns a range of mobile applications, including TikTok, Vigo Video, Douyin, Toutiao and TopBuzz. ByteDance Ltd. bought the app Musical.ly and merged it with their own platform, Douyin, to create TikTok (Bytedance, 2021) .
Who is Zhang Yiming?
Zhang Yiming is the founder and CEO of ByteDance. According to PitchBook, ByteDance is estimated to be valued at around $75 billion (Zhang, 2020).
Why is TikTok popular?
TikTok has become increasingly popular because users enjoy its interesting and creative features. It's also a way for users to stay connected with others.
What are the warnings to users about TikTok?
The FBI warned users about TikTok due to security and privacy concerns. The app collects personal data, such as location and contacts, which can be used for targeted ads and the loss of personal information. Users who open the TikTok application on a device may be permitting information from the device to be shared with servers, computers and the government of China (FBI, 2020).
In December 2022, the Wall Street Journal reported that Bytedance admitted that Bytedance employees improperly accessed the user data of two journalists for the alleged purpose of identifying leaks of confidential company information (Rodriguez, 2022).
Risks of Using
TikTok
When using TikTok, there are some risks to consider. One of the main risks is that it is a social media platform, so there is the risk of cyberbullying and online predators. The app also has access to personal information such as the user's location, contacts and device information, so there is the risk of this information being shared with third parties. There are also concerns about cyberbullying, since users can post comments on other people's videos.
Chinese vs. American Version
With the Chinese version of TikTok, there are some differences between it and the American version. The Chinese version is subject to stricter censorship laws, thus certain topics or content may be blocked or removed. The subject of politics is off-limits in the Chinese version. The American version is subject to the First Amendment and so it allows for more freedom of expression (Hernandez, 2019).
Safety Recommendations
Parents should stay informed about their children's use of TikTok and be aware of the risks associated with it. It's also important to keep in mind that some of the videos may contain mature content, so it's a good idea to monitor what kids are watching.
What can users do to protect themselves from the invasive features of TikTok?
1. Read the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy carefully before agreeing to them.
2. Do not use your real name when setting up your profile.
3. Never share personal information such as address, phone number, or date of birth with anyone.
4. Be aware of what is posted and who can view it.
5. Adjust the app settings to limit who can view and comment on videos.
6. Refrain from clicking on links sent by strangers.
7. Disable location services to prevent the app from tracking whereabouts.
8. Be mindful of the content being viewed.
9. Log out of the app when not in use.
10. Use two-factor authentication to add an extra layer of security to theaccount.
Sample Policy for Prohibiting TikTok from a Company-Owned Device
Company Policy
Regarding the Use of TikTok
This policy outlines the company's stance on the use of TikTok on company-owned devices.
1. All company-owned devices are strictly prohibited from accessing, downloading, or using TikTok.
2. Employees are not allowed to access, download, or use TikTok on any company-owned device.
3. Any employee found in violation of this policy may face disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment.
4. The company is not responsible for any damages or losses that may occur as a result of employees violating this policy.
5. The company reserves the right to modify or change this policy at any time.
6. This policy applies to all company-owned devices, including but not limited to smartphones, tablets, laptops, and computers.
7. Employees must report any violations of this policy to the appropriate personnel immediately.
By following this policy, the company is ensuring that its devices are not used for activities that are not in the best interest of the company.
Sample Legislation Prohibiting the TikTok Application from Government-Owned Devices
Section 1: Definitions
(1) “Government-owned device” refers to any device owned and/or managed by government agencies, departments, or entities.
(2) “TikTok” refers to the mobile application developed by ByteDance Ltd.
Section 2: Prohibition
(1) It is prohibited for any government-owned device to include the TikTok application.
(2) Any government-owned device found to be in violation of this prohibition shall be subject to disciplinary measures determined by the relevant government agency, department, or entity.
Section 3: Enforcement
(1) The relevant government agency, department, or entity shall be responsible for enforcing this prohibition.
(2) These agencies, departments, or entities shall be authorized to take measures to ensure compliance.
Section 4: Effective Date
This legislation shall take effect immediately upon its enactment.
What are Some Alternatives to TikTok?
CAUTION – Some of these applications may harbor some of the same risks described about TikTok. Users should thoroughly research applications before downloading, installing and using them (Influencer Marketing Hub, 2020).
1. Byte
2. Dubsmash
3. Triller
4. Firework
5. Instagram Reels
6. Snapchat
7. YouTube
8. Viddy
9. Clips
10. Kwai
REFERENCES
Bytedance. (2021). Crunchbase. https://www.crunchbase.com/organization/bytedance
Federal Bureau of Investigation. (July 10,2020). TikTok: What You Need to Know. https://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/tiktok-what-you-need-to-know-071020
Hernandez, J. (2019). China’s Douyin vs. TikTok: What’s the Difference? https://blog.hootsuite.com/douyin-vs-tiktok/
Influencer Marketing Hub. (2020). TikTok Alternatives. https://influencermarketinghub.com/tiktok-alternatives/
Rodriguez, Salvador. (December 22, 2022). TikTok Employeees Improperly Accessed User Data, Company Probe Finds. The Wall Street Journal. https://www.wsj.com/articles/tiktok-employees-improperly-accessed-user-data-company-probe-finds-11671734031?mod=business_lead_pos3
Zhang, Y. (2020). Yiming Zhang. PitchBook. https://pitchbook.com/profiles/person/175935-03
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