TikTok Is “Listening” to You Secretly: Be Careful with Your Data

The Tik Tok algorithm uses very aggressive techniques to profile user data, to understand, thanks also to the use of artificial intelligence made in China, what the user's preferences are. And it doesn't matter if it "learns" your tastes, your dreams and above all your secrets.

TikTok is one of the most popular social media platforms in the world, with billions of users streaming short, engaging videos every day – but behind the entertainment the platform offers is a sophisticated algorithm, powered by artificial intelligence.

Chinese AI is aggressively collecting and analyzing user data to understand their preferences, dreams, and in some cases, even their secrets. This ability to profile users raises serious concerns about privacy and personal data security.

# The Heart of TikTok: The Data Collection Algorithm

At the heart of TikTok's user experience is an advanced algorithm developed in China, designed to deliver increasingly personalized content. This algorithm relies on a combination of machine learning and artificial intelligence techniques to analyze a wide range of data: from interactions with videos (likes, comments, shares) to the time spent on certain content, to the frequency with which people visit the platform.

TikTok isn’t just collecting information about people’s obvious interests, like the categories of videos they watch most often, but it’s also going a step further, trying to understand deeper, less obvious habits. For example, the algorithm could analyze the type of music you like, the times you’re most active, and even your moods based on the videos you watch or how you interact with them.

# Artificial Intelligence Made in China

The sophistication of TikTok’s algorithm comes largely from artificial intelligence technologies developed in China. These technologies are capable of processing massive amounts of data in real time, allowing the app to quickly “learn” users’ tastes and preferences. This continuous and deep learning not only allows TikTok to deliver content that captures users’ attention, but also to predict what types of videos users might like in the future.

But what happens when the algorithm starts to know your tastes better than you do yourself? This level of understanding can be unsettling, as TikTok may be able to identify not only your entertainment preferences, but also more personal aspects of your life, like your anxieties, desires, and even insecurities.

# User Profiles: What Do They Know About Us?

TikTok’s aggressive data collection raises critical questions about what the platform actually knows about its users. In addition to usage data, TikTok has access to personal information provided when you sign up, such as your age, gender, and geographic location. The app can also access device data, including contacts, browsing history, and GPS location, if you grant the necessary permissions.

This vast amount of data allows TikTok to build detailed profiles of users, which can be used for everything from personalizing ads to selling information to other companies. While the platform claims to take steps to protect user privacy, transparency into how this data is actually used is often limited.

# The Risks of Aggressive Profiling

The main problem with TikTok’s aggressive profiling is the risk of privacy violations. Users may not realize how much information the platform is collecting about them and how that information could be used. For example, an algorithm that understands your moods could influence the type of content you are shown, potentially manipulating your emotions and choices.

Furthermore, there is a risk that this data could be used for less benign purposes. In an era where data security is increasingly threatened, the amount of personal information collected by TikTok could become a target for hackers or government surveillance. Concerns are especially acute when considering the platform's Chinese origin, in a global context where data protection is an increasingly important issue.

#How to Protect Yourself? Don't Use Tik Tok

For users who want to continue using TikTok, but want to limit the amount of data collected, there are some practical steps to take:

1. **Restrict App Permissions**: During installation, you can deny access to non-essential data, such as location or contacts.
2. **Reduce Interaction with Content**: The less you interact with videos, the less data the algorithm can collect to profile you.
3. **Use an Account Not Associated with Personal Data**: Create an account with an alternative email and do not provide detailed personal information.
4. **Be Aware of the Content You Watch**: Knowing that every video you watch or every action you take is being tracked can help you be more aware of your interactions on the platform.

TikTok offers an unparalleled entertainment experience, but at a hidden cost: our privacy. As the platform’s algorithm becomes more and more advanced, it’s crucial that users are aware of the risks associated with data collection and take steps to protect their personal information. In a digital world where the lines between public and private are increasingly blurred, awareness and caution are the keys to safe navigation.