- Jun 14, 2011
- 1,790
TikTok has your data even if you've never used the app
- Thread starter enaph
- Start date
- Apr 21, 2016
- 3,439
The findings of the cybersecurity report from Feroot regarding TikTok's data collection practices are concerning. It appears that even if you have never used the app, your data could still be collected and transferred to locations around the world, including China and Russia. While TikTok claims to have taken measures to address national security concerns and protect U.S. user data, it is important to remain vigilant about the potential risks associated with this app and others like it. It is also worth noting that TikTok is not the only company using these types of trackers throughout the internet, as the report found other major tech players like Google and Microsoft utilizing them as well. Overall, it is crucial for individuals to take steps to protect their personal information and privacy online.
So must ban Meta, Google and other social media for data collection as well
They are a threat to national security and privacy!
They are a threat to national security and privacy!
- Mar 13, 2022
- 599
Yeah, I dunno about this... need to do some research on it. The term 'pixel' being used to describe a scam/virus/tracker sounds suss to me. I know pixel size images can be used as trackers via remote downloads on email attachments, but embedded in web pages... mmmmm. Begs the question, can they get past cookie/tracker blockers etc. Not enough info in this article for mine... but darn interesting.
Those embedded in webpages are know as web beacons
Here is one way to block them
Other methods for blocking include having a secure DNS server or VPN service which provide tracking protection
- Mar 13, 2022
- 599
Cheers, never heard of them! I'll have a read-up about the pesky little beggars.
Ok, so they basically the same as the email attachment activity tracker.
Interesting distinction between the two towards the end of the article.
en.wikipedia.org
Ok, so they basically the same as the email attachment activity tracker.
Interesting distinction between the two towards the end of the article.
Spy pixel - Wikipedia
- Mar 2, 2023
- 792
From the article:
"TikTok can be present on a website in pretty much any sector in the form of TikTok pixels/trackers," the report said. "In many cases, the pixels/trackers immediately start executing and have little to nothing to do with the immediate business of the website owner."
"The report, from the cybersecurity company Feroot, said the app still has your data even if you've never used TikTok.....
with TikTok's trackers called pixels, which are part of the code that loads into your browser from various websites"
My question is, how does it get loaded into the browser or the website in the first place, how is that "allowed" or not allowed (no control over it) by the website owner?
"TikTok can be present on a website in pretty much any sector in the form of TikTok pixels/trackers," the report said. "In many cases, the pixels/trackers immediately start executing and have little to nothing to do with the immediate business of the website owner."
"The report, from the cybersecurity company Feroot, said the app still has your data even if you've never used TikTok.....
with TikTok's trackers called pixels, which are part of the code that loads into your browser from various websites"
My question is, how does it get loaded into the browser or the website in the first place, how is that "allowed" or not allowed (no control over it) by the website owner?
- Feb 7, 2023
- 1,734
Every web-page loads various frameworks, JavaScripts and other third-party content. Some of this content provides visual effects, such as graphics and animations, other allows site admins to view who uses the site and how. This data is valuable for sales to drive more revenue
Some JavaScripts may provide rich experience or apps.
JavaScripts have quite a lot of control over the browser, specially compared to HTML and CSS. They can draw over the page as well and site admins have very little control.
.
What’s been discussed here is the TickTock analytics. More information about them and methods how they get added to the website is available here:
TikTok for Business | Marketing & Advertising on TikTok
Advertise on TikTok. Make ads that entertain and campaigns that connect. Where large and small businesses, agencies & creators can achieve big results.
getstarted.tiktok.com
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- Mar 2, 2023
- 792
Thank you, Trident, that link pretty much answered it $$Every web-page loads various frameworks, JavaScripts and other third-party content. Some of this content provides visual effects, such as graphics and animations, other allows site admins to view who uses the site and how. This data is valuable for sales to drive more revenue
Some JavaScripts may provide rich experience or apps.
JavaScripts have quite a lot of control over the browser, specially compared to HTML and CSS. They can draw over the page as well and site admins have very little control.
.
What’s been discussed here is the TickTock analytics. More information about them and methods how they get added to the website is available here:
TikTok for Business | Marketing & Advertising on TikTok
Advertise on TikTok. Make ads that entertain and campaigns that connect. Where large and small businesses, agencies & creators can achieve big results.
- Feb 7, 2023
- 1,734
The only difference here is that many trackers are normally scripts, but this is a tracking pixel. A small 1x1 image usually with alpha channel (transparency) that once loaded, provides tracking functionality. The article is very misleading as it makes it look like TickTock or the other companies add them. Whilst it is not impossible for an extension to modify a website, it is the website owner adding these. How data gets processed after is another question. Normally site users should be made aware of these trackers and a privacy policy should be provided too.Thank you, Trident, that link pretty much answered it $$
- Mar 2, 2023
- 792
- Mar 13, 2022
- 599
Yeah, exactly... try disabling Java Scripts in your browser... things come to screaming halt pretty quickly
- Feb 7, 2023
- 1,734
This is a very rough approach that is not needed. There are many ways to disable trackers, with the most preferred by me personally is NextDNS (or maybe ControlD) as it blocks them before they are even loaded. In addition, most of the browsers now have these functionalities built-in as well.
- Mar 13, 2022
- 599
Ok... so with DuckDuckGo browser set to block/limit everything that moves and ProtonVPN tweaked to within an inch of its life... I can't do much more.
- Jul 27, 2015
- 5,459
- Feb 7, 2023
- 1,734
It’s not even formulated correctly, it is not the “app”, it is ByteDance, the business behind it. The app is just one of their products. Feroot through low-quality publications jumps on a bandwagon that is now well heated, in order to get 2 minutes on the news.
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- Mar 2, 2023
- 792
- Jan 8, 2011
- 22,361
Nothing new. Advertising companies (US, China, wherever) have been exploiting Internet users for decades. It's not by luck or chance that your social media feeds shows your interests that you recently talked about in "private chats".
- Mar 29, 2018
- 7,107
Also known as an etag, or a form of etag, if I'm not mistaken. They've been around for years but rarely are included in tracking discussions.
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