A study conducted by URL Genius found that TikTok and YouTube collected the most user data of all other social media apps. The study showed that YouTube collects user data for its own benefit, such as tracking browsing history or location to show users relevant ads.
TikTok, a bytedance-owned company, allows third-party trackers to collect user data for a variety of purposes. In the case of third-party trackers, it is almost impossible to know who collected user data and what type of information was retrieved. In the case of third-party trackers, it is almost impossible to know who collected user data and what type of information was retrieved.
That data can be in the form of various data, including location information; as well as personal information that can be accessed by the application. The study also showed that third-party trackers can monitor user activity even after exiting the app.
In its research, GENIUS URLs used the App Activity Recording feature available on iOS devices. With the help of this feature, it can be determined how many different domains monitor user activity on the YouTube, TikTok, Twitter, Telegram, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, Messenger, and WhatsApp apps.
YouTube and TikTok each made 14 network contacts which is significantly more than any other app which averages just 6 network connections.
TikTok has been the subject of criticism in the past for its collection and use of user data especially in the case of underage platform users.
Last year, TikTok's privacy policy mentioned that TikTok could share user data with the service's parent company despite claims that the platform is following security measures to protect the privacy of users' data.
