TikTok Allegedly Sends US User Data To Beijing, Triggers Security Concerns

TikTok allegedly sent US user data to China (photo: dock, pexels)

JAKARTA - A new investigation revealed that TikTok, a popular video app, may have sent US user data to its Beijing-based parent company, ByteDance. This triggers serious concerns about user data security and privacy.

Former TikTok employees claim that they were ordered to send spreadsheets containing the name, email, demographic data, and US user location data to ByteDance. This claim contradicts TikTok's previous statement that they have cut most ties with ByteDance.

The investigation comes amid political concerns in the US about the potential influence of China on TikTok. The US Congress recently passed a law forcing TikTok to break away from ByteDance.

TikTok denies this claim by calling it a "forgery" of "former employees who are dissatisfied." However, several other former employees also claim that TikTok still has close ties to ByteDance.

Several cybersecurity experts expressed their concern about the potential misuse of US user data by the Chinese government. They say that personal data can be used to track users, manipulate public opinion, or even harm them.

On the other hand, some other experts argue that sharing data between large companies may be commonplace and not always dangerous. They say that TikTok may only be slow in implementing new procedures to protect user data.

Despite the debate, the ban on TikTok in the US is getting closer. The US House of Representatives has approved a bill forcing ByteDance to sell its majority stake in TikTok to US companies or face bans. US President Joe Biden has declared his intention to sign the bill into law.

This case raises important questions about the security of user data in the digital era. It is important for users to be aware of potential risks and take steps to protect their privacy.