Whether you’re on Facebook or Twitter, there are certain things you must do to protect yourself. Some of the best tips include making sure you have up-to-date security software, keeping your passwords and other personal details secure, and avoiding posting intoxicating pictures or other potentially harmful content.
Inappropriate content
Whether your child is on TikTok or not, you need to be aware of its content. While it’s fun for kids, it can also be a hotbed for pedophiles and other online predators. There are a few things you can do to make sure your kids aren’t exposed to inappropriate content on TikTok.
The TikTok app has a number of parental control features, such as a time limit, an inactivity lock, and a password lock. While these may help you monitor your child’s activity, they don’t actually help you filter out inappropriate content.
TikTok has also introduced measures to combat nudity. During October to December of 2021, 85 million inappropriate videos were deleted. This equates to about one percent of all content uploaded.
The TikTok app also has a “kid mode”, which limits the amount of time your kid can spend on the app. You can also limit the amount of videos they watch in one sitting.
There’s also a “for you feed” that shows videos from unfollowed users. This shows a broader array of videos based on what type of videos your child has been watching.
The TikTok app is also equipped with “restricted mode” which filters out inappropriate content. This feature was introduced last year.
There are also several other features that TikTok has to offer. For example, it has a “Digital Wellbeing” option that lets you lock certain content and hide certain content.
You can also report comments, messages, and videos deemed to be inappropriate. Using the TikTok app’s reporting system, you can also block a user from sending you a private message.
TikTok has also introduced “safety filters” which hide explicit TikToks. They are set to “moderate” by default.
Privacy issues
Currently, TikTok is one of the most popular apps in the world, with upwards of 1.5bn downloads worldwide. It allows users to create 15-second videos. But TikTok has faced a lot of controversy over privacy issues. It has been banned in several countries, including India, Bangladesh and Pakistan. In addition, it has been criticized by politicians and privacy watchdogs.
In early 2020, a report from Check Point Research highlighted a number of vulnerabilities in TikTok. In addition, it warned that users’ sensitive information could be exposed. It also mentioned that SMS links could be spoofed.
TikTok stores user data in the US. In the past, it also stored backup data in Singapore. But now, it plans to delete all user data stored in its US data centers. Then, it plans to transfer it to Oracle’s cloud service.
But TikTok has a number of privacy issues, including concerns about the data it collects from children. It does not have an in-app reporting system for sexually explicit content. It also collects phone contacts, telemetry and device identifiers. Its parent company, ByteDance, is located in Beijing. This raises concerns about Chinese government access to user data.
As a result of the concerns, several lawmakers have expressed their interest in banning TikTok. Conservative MP Bob Seely has warned that there are “significant data privacy issues” with TikTok. In addition, he has requested that the company provide a clear definition of the term “voiceprint.”
TikTok also collects data from users, including biometric data, like facial features. It can also identify the location of body features and scenery in uploaded content. Despite this, it remains transparent about how it collects data.
Hacking potential
Almost two years ago, a cybersecurity firm named Check Point discovered a series of software vulnerabilities in TikTok, the popular short video app that has nearly a billion monthly users. The vulnerabilities allowed attackers to gain access to sensitive personal information, manipulate the app’s profile, and send text messages on behalf of TikTok. The flaws were reportedly fixed in December. However, TikTok has not backed up these claims. It has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting user data.
The research, which was disclosed to TikTok, found that hackers were able to access TikTok’s database by scraping publicly accessible information. However, most attacks involved social engineering. These attacks use scams to trick users into sharing their personal information. Some attacks were simple, while others took a lot of research.
In addition to stealing user data, hackers were able to access the platform’s ad system and modify other users’ feeds. Researchers found that malware was used to download and upload videos, delete videos, and even change the settings on other users’ accounts.
The ad system also exposed the platform to XSS attacks. These attacks allow attackers to inject malicious scripts into other people’s feeds. The vulnerability was found in the platform’s search function. It also left the TikTok Ads subdomain vulnerable to Cross-Site Scripting attacks.
According to the research, TikTok has failed to implement a proper cross-site request forgery defense system. This flaw makes it possible to alter the URL of a download link. The attackers could then change the settings on a user’s video and add videos to their own account. This could also lead to the uploading of videos on behalf of users.
The flaws were discovered by a team of researchers who have previously worked with TikTok. Check Point revealed their findings to TikTok, which then reaffirmed its commitment to protecting user data.
Security infractions
Despite being owned by a Chinese company, TikTok’s user base is predominantly a young demographic. While the company claims to be a kid friendly site, it appears that not all users have the best of intentions.
Two internal TikTok moderation documents have been published by The Intercept. One document lays out algorithmic bans for ideologically undesirable content in livestreams. Another lays out algorithmic punishments for unattractive users. The company has also announced that it will soon be removing violative content manually.
TikTok is no stranger to security infractions. It was recently forced to ban US military personnel from using the site. The company has been accused of collecting biometric data from minors. It has also been the subject of a data privacy lawsuit in the US.
TikTok is also the subject of a study conducted by EU privacy regulators. According to the study, TikTok’s security measures are largely satisfactory. The company has announced plans to improve the precision of its technology, and improve privacy protections in its advertising policy.
Although TikTok may be the best of the social networking sites, it has its share of shortcomings. Its user base is primarily young people, and there are reports of abuse and bullying on the site. In addition to the aforementioned problems, it also collects more data than its competitors. And, while it is located in the US, the company is Chinese in origin, which means that users could be subject to Chinese privacy laws.
Social media etiquette
Whether you’re using social media to promote your business or your personal brand, proper etiquette is important to maintaining a respectful and professional presence. Keeping your social channels stocked with uplifting content can help strengthen your brand’s reputation. It’s also important to avoid engaging in extreme behavior. These include things like dangerous behavior, provocative behavior, and inappropriate behavior. If you engage in any of these acts, it can affect the way people view your brand.
While TikTok encourages users to engage in what they want, it can also create a very dangerous situation for them. Users may not realize what they are seeing, and they can easily manipulate the public’s opinions. In addition, they can easily make themselves vulnerable to stalking and phishing attacks. To protect themselves from this, TikTok has updated its rules surrounding dangerous acts. It has also pledged to take action against suicide hoaxes.
TikTok users have also increased their digital footprint, which means they’re more likely to get targeted by phishing attacks. They’re also more likely to develop stalking behavior, and they may face obstacles in their careers. In addition, if they get too much criticism, it’s important not to get defensive. Instead, take the criticism seriously and work to solve the problem. Let people know when the issue has been addressed.
Even if your brand doesn’t have the same size audience as TikTok, keeping up with the latest social media etiquette can help protect your brand from legal issues. This includes sharing only appropriate content and picking the most relevant hashtags for each post. It’s also important to schedule social media posts. Scheduling posts is a simple and effective habit.