Understanding the TikTok Ban and Its Implications

Ok, you and I have never met, but if I told you about some of your passwords, I know your date of birth and what you’ve been doing going from app to app, would you be spoked?

That’s how you have to start looking at social media apps.

At the beginning of 2023, I vowed to get my sanity back. Starting by removing myself from as many social media apps as I could.

I started my rabbit hole with Facebook back in 2008. Back then, it was called Social Networking.

I now pull a complete stop at TikTok.

TikTok Faces Security Concerns and Bans in Canada

Due to cybersecurity concerns, Canada has announced a TikTok ban on all government devices. This follows similar regulations recently unveiled by the U.S. and E.U. The move means that TikTok will be deleted from all government-issued devices, and downloading the app will be blocked on phones. The decision was taken as a “precaution” out of cybersecurity concerns, and experts say it was inevitable.

Why the Ban?

Canada’s Treasury Board President Mona Fortier stated that TikTok presents an unacceptable level of risk to privacy and security. The Chief Information Officer of Canada determined that the app’s data collection methods provide considerable access to the contents of the phone, and the app’s end-user license agreement allows it to track personal data, including passwords, dates of birth, email addresses, contact lists, and activity across other apps.

Moreover, TikTok’s ownership by multinational company ByteDance, headquartered in Beijing, also raises concerns. A recent report by cybersecurity firm Internet 2.0 found evidence that Chinese authorities could access users’ device data whenever they wanted. Although ByteDance has denied its connection to the Chinese government in the past, a Chinese state-owned company purchased a one percent stake in ByteDance’s key Chinese entity in 2021, allowing the Chinese government to place an official on its board of directors.

What Does This Mean for Users?

Federal and Quebec government employees are banned from using TikTok on their government-issued phones, and certain political parties have enacted their own rules for the app. However, the government says using TikTok for everyone else remains a personal choice. Still, the Canadian Center for Cybersecurity “strongly recommends” users research and understand the risks of all social media before use.

Experts suggest parents talk to their kids about the risks surrounding TikTok and other social media. For those who value their privacy or deal with sensitive information, it is recommended to consider deleting the app or at least being cautious about the data they share. It is wise to read the end-user license agreement of any app instead of blindly accepting it and revoking app access permissions on your phone.

What’s Next for TikTok?

It remains to be seen if other countries will follow Canada’s lead in banning TikTok. However, TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, has been taking steps to address security concerns. The company recently announced the opening of a Transparency Center in the U.S. to allow experts to review the app’s security practices.

Conclusion eh?

The Canadian TikTok ban highlights the need for increased scrutiny of social media platforms’ privacy and security practices. While users should be cautious about the data they share, governments must take proactive measures to protect citizens’ personal information. As TikTok and other social media platforms evolve, privacy and security must remain at the forefront of discussions.