TikTok Isn't the Threat It's Made Out To Be.

I’d hate to be the one who brings the bad news, but TikTok isn’t the devil Donald Trump wants you to believe it is. I mean, it is, but only to him and his re-election campaign. Tiktok for all intents and purposes is a video app for voice over parodies, dance sensations, quick cooking tips, and just general shenanigans. The president, however, believes it’s a threat to national security because it’s founded in China and collects your data.

According to Google.com

“TikTok/Douyin is a Chinese video-sharing social networking service owned by ByteDance, a Beijing-based Internet technology company founded in 2012 by Zhang Yiming. It is used to create short dance, lip-sync, comedy, and talent videos. ByteDance first launched Douyin for the Chinese market in September 2016.”

Yes, at first glance, a Chinese backed entity that takes your information is a scary thought. However, before you get your pitchforks and demand that Apple takes down the video-sharing app, please remember that almost every app you download collects your data. They use this data to analyze your habits to improve their apps as well as appeal to your interests.

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Most of the people reading this are on Facebook. Guess what, they probably take way more information than Tiktok does. How do you think Facebook has stayed free all these years? Data is their most important asset. People think that their smart speakers such as Alexa are always listening since they talk about something and it appears on their timeline.

Maybe, but the more likely scenario is Facebook has pulled information collected by your IP address that monitors your keystrokes, search history, and data. Then they turn around and use this data for sponsored content to appear on your timeline. Should you click or buy something from these sites, Facebook takes a cut. It’s no different than network television using demographics to play commercials during certain programming.

What are the real reason Donald Trump and his political affiliates want to ban TikTok? Have you ever been on the app? A large majority of the videos point out his faults, mock his integrity, or poke fun at him in general. Its a non-regulated entity that hurts his chances at a second term. Between the people who bought tickets to his rally and left it an empty house and the people who are 1-star reviewing his app to get it taken out of the app store, it has to be frustrating.

So of course, Donald Trump wants TikTok gone, it makes him look bad. However, if you don’t think apps are using your data, ignorance is bliss. Apps use so much of your data that Apple has introduced a new feature in their next iOS update. From here on out, the app store will now show exactly what apps collect your data and how they use it. They’ll have an indicator on your phone that pops up when an app is using both your camera and your microphone. Why? Because TikTok, the Chinese-based company isn’t the only app collecting and using your data. Sorry Trumpers, but this conspiracy theory is nothing more than a fear tactic.