Should I just assume TikTok will steal all my data?

[Minoosh]

I more or less accidentally downloaded TikTok, but I don't think I made an account. I am suspicious of the Chinese state which is per my understanding the owner of TikTok. What better way of surveilling the US public than to get them all using a mobile app to look at funny cat videos or whatever?

I assume the Chinese government would take full advantage of the opportunity, but I don't know the technical ins and outs. For example, I have a banking app on my phone. Could TikTok come with some sneaky malware that allows it access to my mobile banking activity? I kind of assume that if the Chinese CAN rip off my data, it WILL rip off my data.

Or maybe it's all been ripped off already. I heard that said once. Basically that everything in my wallet has already been stolen 3 times over.

 

[theprestige]

Yes. Assume it will steal all your data. And rot your brain. Just delete the app.

 

[bruto]

Yeah, make them buy it from Google like regular folks.

 

[alfaniner]

If you don't make an account, you're safer than otherwise. Just downloading it shouldn't do much except note it in the App Store. Who knows what happens if you Agree to the EULA.

But if you hold your finger anywhere in a post, hit Copy, then Paste to a new post, it messes up the algorithm and protects your data.

Or so I keep reading.

 

[Minoosh]

Yes. Assume it will steal all your data. And rot your brain. Just delete the app.

I'm down with the rot my brain part.

 

[catsmate]

Yes. Just like the others.