On Wednesday, June 2nd, the popular video-sharing app TikTok recently made major changes to its private policy that will now allow the app to collect biometric data from American users.
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’s policy reads
Business Insider cites a report from TechCrunch, that the wording of that statement would allow TikTok the ability to collect the majority of a users’ biometric data without directly asking them for it, as only a few states have laws prohibiting companies from collecting this data.
Business Insider reached out to TikTok asking if they app already began to collect this data, but the company did not respond.
This new policy update can be found under “information we collect automatically,” which could imply that TikTok is already accumulating this data.
TechCrunch additionally noted that TikTok never defines the specifics of these ‘faceprints’ and ‘voiceprints,’ or why the app would even need that information to begin with.
‘In February, TikTok paid $92 million to settle a class-action lawsuit in Illinois over allegations that it violated the state’s biometric data privacy law,’ according to Business Insider.
In 2020 the Trump Administration failed to completely ban the popular app in America, making the claims that the Beijing, China-based company ByteDance – owners of TikTok – was a national security threat.
Several days ago President Biden penned an executive order prohibiting Americans from investing in Chinese-owned companies linked to surveillance of religious and ethnic minorities, but has not directly addressed TikTok.
According to some cybersecurity experts, they say that TikTok poses no more of a threat than compared to many other social media platforms and apps, even though some businesses and government agencies have barred their employees from using TikTok.
AUTHOR COMMENTARY
[6] For the vile person will speak villany, and his heart will work iniquity, to practise hypocrisy, and to utter error against the LORD, to make empty the soul of the hungry, and he will cause the drink of the thirsty to fail. [7] The instruments also of the churl are evil: he deviseth wicked devices to destroy the poor with lying words, even when the needy speaketh right. Isaiah 32:6-7
In other words, TikTok is now openly admitting to something they have already been doing. The NSA already data collects and has access to every single email, phone call, text message, picture, key stroke, etc. We noted a report at the end of April that the United States Postal Service has access to, and has been, tracking social media posts. If a smart device or an app has the ability to view information on your phone, or given access to utilize the camera, microphone, and so on, they were already quietly collecting that data and whisking it off in a giant data collection center with giant mega-computers.
This personally reminds me of the Kinect for the Xbox 360. I got that as a Christmas gift when it first came out, and it was a camera that tracked player’s movements and utilized voice recognition to play games, without the use of a remote. I remember when I would login into my profile, the camera would just scan my face and that was it.
We noted a report in December that Instagram quietly updated their policy granting them explicit access to all of the users’ other accounts.
We also noted in March of a dangerous challenge that was circulating on TikTok where children were challenged to strangle themselves, which resulted in a few children dying, and potentially could lead to irreversible and damaging health effects.
Beware Of The “Blackout Challenge” On Social Media
On top of all this, The WinePress today reported that Amazon’s Echo and Ring products will now automatically link themselves together and share neighbor’s networks. All of this coming out at once is not a coincidence in my book.
I must also note that President Trump was correct that TikTok is a security threat, however, so are the other social media apps. And this the type of propaganda and masquerades you have to lookout for. So, it’s ok when the American steals and collects our personal info, but when China does it then it’s a big no-no? Trump and Republican politicians like Ted Cruz flapping their gums about big tech is more smoke and mirrors: “Look here-look here, don’t look there.”
[7] Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock? [8] Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also? [9] For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen? [10] Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope. (1 Corinthians 9:7-10).
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Never had a ticktok and I never will. The only tiktok I’m familiar with is the sound a clock makes.
All social media is a psy-op. It allows for easy data collection, brainwashing, and a feedback mechanism to calibrate their plans. This history of it and “Silicon Valley” (used to be call microwave valley), is tied to the intel complex. Hollywood is the same as well.
Mitch – T.V. is called programming for a reason.