TikTok Algorithm Changes, It Make Users Instantly Connected To People They Know

TikTok will change the algorithm based on the contacts on the user's phone. (photo: doc. unsplash)

JAKARTA – TikTok changed its algorithm to encourage users to follow people they know in real life. TikTok will push videos more from people they know through their contacts on their phone.

Previously this app's recommendation algorithm pushed videos based solely on the user's viewing habits. Whether it's people they know or not in real life users will see videos based on their previous interests. But this algorithm is likely to change drastically.

Many users and creators of TikTok have started complaining that the app is changing its recommendation algorithm to try and connect it with people they know in real life.

According to Wired, content creators are asked to follow their friends and family, or their relatives and acquaintances, or suddenly start following them on the platform without their own knowledge. Similar complaints abound on Twitter, with one user saying they don't want their "coworkers, ex, or old friends" to see their videos.

Others have complained about the recommendations being a little too close for comfort. The general consensus seems to be that the new algorithm creates privacy concerns for one and all.

Through most of the tweets, the problem only affects people who sync their contacts with their TikTok account. In fact, the Wired report also points to the same, with some users claiming to have 'unwittingly' synced their contacts with the app.

Most of the users affected by this issue are concerned about their privacy following the apparent change in TikTok's recommendation algorithm. For example, a New Yorker said his father suddenly started following him on TikTok, and may have found out about their sexual orientation before they were ready to reveal it to their family.

Meanwhile, TikTok has denied that there are any privacy concerns with the app. According to a TikTok spokesperson, the app offers "various privacy settings and opt-in features" that allow users to personalize the app according to their preferences.

However, the app's privacy settings clearly state that they will "suggest your account to phone contacts" unless the user manually opts out. Also, while users have to grant permission to the app to access their contact list, most people simply click on the Terms and Conditions without reading them through, which means there's a high chance that TikTok is creating privacy issues.