Recently, a UK journalist shared a shocking story about how TikTok tracked her using her cat’s account. The journalist, who works for the Daily Telegraph, had set up a TikTok account for her cat, with the username “Larry the Chief Mouser.” However, she had never used the account to post any content or interact with other users.
Despite this, TikTok was able to use the account to track her movements and suggest other users to follow. The journalist was surprised to find that the app suggested other accounts based on her real-life location, even though she had never shared her location with the app.
This raises serious concerns about the level of tracking that TikTok is conducting on its users. It is not clear how TikTok was able to determine the journalist’s location based on her cat’s account, but it is likely that the app was using her IP address or other data points to track her movements.
This is not the first time that TikTok has been criticized for its data collection practices. The app has been accused of collecting data on users’ browsing history, device information, and location data, even when the app is not in use. TikTok has also been accused of sharing user data with the Chinese government, which the app denies.
In response to the journalist’s story, a spokesperson for TikTok stated that the app “takes privacy seriously” and that it “does not share data with third parties, including the Chinese government.” However, the spokesperson did not provide any explanation for how the app was able to track the journalist’s location through her cat’s account.
The journalist’s story highlights the need for greater transparency and accountability when it comes to data collection and privacy practices on social media platforms. Users should have the right to know what data is being collected about them and how it is being used. Additionally, social media companies should be held accountable for their data collection practices and should face consequences if they violate users’ privacy rights.
In conclusion, the story of TikTok tracking a UK journalist through her cat’s account is concerning and highlights the need for greater transparency and accountability when it comes to data collection practices on social media platforms. Users should be aware of the data that is being collected about them and how it is being used, and social media companies should be held accountable for their actions. It is important that we continue to raise awareness about these issues and push for greater privacy protections for users. TikTok Tracked UK journalist via her Cat’s Account