Is TikTok Safe? Security Review
2/5
Overall Safety Score
★
★
★
★
★
Verdict: TikTok presents significant privacy and security risks due to its aggressive data collection and Chinese ownership. Users should assume all activity on the platform is extensively tracked and potentially accessible to Chinese authorities.
TikTok is the world's most popular short-video platform with over 1 billion monthly active users. Owned by Chinese company ByteDance, it has faced intense scrutiny from governments worldwide over data privacy and national security concerns.
Security Ratings Breakdown
| Category | Score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Encryption | 3/5 | |
| Privacy | 1/5 | |
| Track Record | 1/5 |
Security Features
- Two-factor authentication available
- Account privacy settings (private account option)
- Comment and DM filtering
- Screen time management tools
- Family Pairing parental controls
Privacy Concerns
- Collects device identifiers, location, keystroke patterns, and clipboard data
- ByteDance employees in China accessed US user data (confirmed by internal audits and whistleblowers)
- In-app browser can inject JavaScript to monitor all keystrokes and inputs on external websites
- Extensive biometric data collection including faceprints and voiceprints
- Faced US ban legislation (divest-or-ban bill signed 2024) over national security concerns
Past Security Incidents
- In 2022, ByteDance confirmed employees accessed TikTok data of US journalists to track their sources
- Multiple FTC investigations into children's data privacy violations
- 2019 FTC fine of $5.7 million for illegally collecting data from children under 13 (as Musical.ly)
- 2023 EU fine of 345 million euros for violating children's privacy under GDPR
- Banned on government devices in the US, EU, UK, Canada, and other countries
How to Stay Safe Using TikTok
- Set account to private
- Disable personalized ads in settings
- Don't open links in TikTok's in-app browser; copy to external browser
- Restrict location access
- Use Family Pairing for children's accounts
- Consider whether you need the app at all given the privacy trade-offs
Safer Alternatives
- YouTube Shorts (US-based alternative)
- Instagram Reels (Meta-owned, similar concerns but US-based)
- Bluesky (decentralized, privacy-focused)
Last updated: February 10, 2026