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Can TikTok track a user’s location? [1]

['Tom Kertscher', 'Wisconsin Watch', 'More Tom Kertscher', 'Fact Checker']

Date: 2023-01-18 20:45:30+00:00

Reading Time: < 1 minute

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Yes.

TikTok, the Chinese-owned video-sharing platform, collects location information on its users, which now total over one billion.

TikTok says it collects the data “based on your device or network information, such as SIM card and IP address.” It also uses GPS data from a user’s device if the user enables Location Services.

The data are at least 1.16 square miles from your actual location, according to TikTok. It says it gathers the data to show users videos that are popular in their area and more relevant ads.

Wisconsin’s Democratic Gov. Tony Evers recently banned TikTok on state-issued devices over cybersecurity concerns shared by the FBI and other federal agencies, joining 23 other states.

U.S. Rep. Mike Gallagher, a Republican representing Wisconsin’s 8th Congressional district, introduced legislation to ban TikTok from the U.S. in December.

This Fact Brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.

Sources

TikTok: Thanks a billion!

TikTok: Location information on TikTok

Governor Tony Evers: Gov. Evers Signs Executive Order Banning TikTok, Other Technologies from State-Issued Devices

AP News: EXPLAINER: List of states banning TikTok grows

Congressman Mike Gallagher: Gallagher, Rubio Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Ban TikTok

US Congress: S.5245 – ANTI-SOCIAL CCP Act117th Congress (2021-2022)

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If we send you a request to change or remove Wisconsin Watch content from your site, you must agree to do so immediately. You are welcome to republish our articles forusing the following ground rules. For questions regarding republishing rules please contact Andy Hall, executive director, at [email protected] Can TikTok track a user’s location? <h1>Can TikTok track a user’s location?</h1> by Tom Kertscher / Wisconsin Watch, Wisconsin Watch January 18, 2023 <h2>Yes.</h2> TikTok, the Chinese-owned video-sharing platform, collects location information on its users, which now total over one billion. TikTok says it collects the data “based on your device or network information, such as SIM card and IP address.” It also uses GPS data from a user’s device if the user enables Location Services. The data are at least 1.16 square miles from your actual location, according to TikTok. It says it gathers the data to show users videos that are popular in their area and more relevant ads. Wisconsin's Democratic Gov. Tony Evers recently banned TikTok on state-issued devices over cybersecurity concerns shared by the FBI and other federal agencies, joining 23 other states. U.S. Rep. Mike Gallagher, a Republican representing Wisconsin's 8th Congressional district, introduced legislation to ban TikTok from the U.S. in December. This Fact Brief is responsive to conversations such as <a href="https://twitter.com/RepGallagher/status/1611445995518164992?cxt=HHwWgICwmYvmgN0sAAAA" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">this one.</a> Sources TikTok: <a href="https://newsroom.tiktok.com/en-us/1-billion-people-on-tiktok" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Thanks a billion!</a> TikTok: <a href="https://support.tiktok.com/en/account-and-privacy/account-privacy-settings/location-services-on-tiktok" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Location information on TikTok</a> Governor Tony Evers: <a href="https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/WIGOV/bulletins/34275eb" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Gov. Evers Signs Executive Order Banning TikTok, Other Technologies from State-Issued Devices</a> AP News: <a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-politics-united-states-government-china-privacy-26b0ee0d4c8421fa7f58b06f76651dc1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EXPLAINER: List of states banning TikTok grows</a> Congressman Mike Gallagher: <a href="https://gallagher.house.gov/media/press-releases/gallagher-rubio-introduce-bipartisan-legislation-ban-tiktok" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Gallagher, Rubio Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Ban TikTok</a> US Congress: <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/senate-bill/5245/text" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">S.5245 - ANTI-SOCIAL CCP Act117th Congress (2021-2022)</a> This <a target="_blank" href="https://wisconsinwatch.org/2023/01/can-tiktok-track-a-users-location/">article</a> first appeared on <a target="_blank" href="https://wisconsinwatch.org">Wisconsin Watch</a> and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.<img src="https://i0.wp.com/wisconsinwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/cropped-WCIJ_IconOnly_FullColor_RGB-1.png?fit=150%2C150&quality=100&ssl=1" style="width:1em;height:1em;margin-left:10px;"><img id="republication-tracker-tool-source" src="https://wisconsinwatch.org/?republication-pixel=true&post=1275917&ga=UA-17896820-1" style="width:1px;height:1px;">

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