TIKTOK has updated its privacy policy in the US so it can collect things like “faceprints and voiceprints” from its users.
The app said it “may collect biometric identifiers and biometric information” from users but would need consent before this data is taken.
TikTok has added a new section to its US privacy policy called “Image and Audio Information”.
It can be found under the heading “Information we collect automatically”.
This section of the policy is already fairly lengthy.
The new policy explains about collecting object and scenery data, which some other social media companies do for this like AR effects and ad targeting.
However, the creepiest part concerns ‘biometric data’, meaning body measurements and human characteristic data.
It states: “We may collect biometric identifiers and biometric information as defined under US laws, such as faceprints and voiceprints, from your User Content.
“Where required by law, we will seek any required permissions from you prior to any such collection.”
TikTok hasn’t explained why it needs this data or how it will ask for permission to take it.
Only a few US states have biometric privacy laws.
They include Texas, Washington, California and New York.
This could mean TikTok could take biometric data without asking permission from users in other states.
The new policy comes as TikTok works to regain trust in the US after the Trump administration tried to ban it and claimed the Chinese-owned app was a security threat to the country.
TikTok: Brief guide to the world’s most downloaded app
- TikTok lets users create and share short videos with music and camera effects
- The hit app is best known for short dance videos, lip-syncing clips, comedy sketches, and talent footage
- It is owned by Beijing-based ByteDance, founded by the entrepreneur Zhang Yiming
- The $200billion conglomerate acquired the Musical.ly app in 2017 and merged it with TikTok, bringing millions of new users
- By February 2019, TikTok and Douyin had been downloaded more than a billion times
- It was the most-downloaded app on the App Store in 2018 and 2019
- Cyber experts have expressed concern over ByteDance’s alleged links to the Chinese government
- The Department of Defense has urged its employees to avoid using the app over national security concerns
- TikTok says it does not and would not share user data with the Chinese government
- mrto
