I’ve been saying this for months: Remove TikTok from your smartphone. But it’s not just TikTok that poses a threat. Temu, the app that claims to offer extravagant shopping experiences, is not as great as it seems. I’ll explain why and what to do if you’ve been using it.
And that’s not all. There are several other dangerous apps that you should delete ASAP. However, if you still want to use TikTok, there are ways to minimize the risk of handing over all your information to the Chinese government.
Why should you be concerned about TikTok? Well, it’s a national security threat due to its Chinese ownership. The parent company, ByteDance, is based in Beijing and is required by Chinese law to provide the government with access to collected user data. TikTok collects a wide range of data, including search history, browsing history, facial recognition data, voice prints, texts, location information, and photos.
Despite the ban imposed by government agencies and even the state of Montana, TikTok remains incredibly popular, especially among teenagers in the US. However, there are steps you can take to protect your privacy.
Simply browsing TikTok on the web won’t solve the problem as there is still a significant amount of tracking involved. The best option is to purchase a low-cost smartphone, often referred to as a “burner phone,” specifically for social media use. You don’t need an expensive device since its sole purpose is to use the TikTok app.
When setting up the burner phone, make sure not to link it to any of your primary accounts, such as Google, Apple, or personal email. It’s crucial to start fresh and create a new email account solely for this phone and your TikTok account. By doing so, even if TikTok or any other app collects data, it won’t be connected to your actual personal information.
While using a burner phone offers some protection, it’s essential to be cautious about what you share within the app or in your posts. Remember that the burner phone is still connected to you in some way.
Plus, don’t forget about the security of your home network. If your burner phone becomes infected with malware, it could potentially impact other devices on your network. To avoid this, set up a guest network in your home, allowing guests and chosen devices to access the internet without compromising the other devices on your main network.
Most routers provide a “Guest Network” option in the settings, either through an app or a web interface. Access your router admin page from a computer using the device’s IP address and admin password. Look for the Guest Wi-Fi section and give your guest network a distinct name, different from your regular network, to prevent any mix-ups.
If you want to stay up to date with the latest tech news and tips, be sure to check out my podcast called “Kim Komando Today.” It covers a range of topics, including recent trends, UFOs, personal data protection, and more. Listen to it on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred podcast player.
In conclusion, it’s crucial to be mindful of the apps you use and take steps to protect your privacy and security. Removing TikTok from your phone, setting up a burner phone for social media use, and creating a separate email account are effective measures to minimize the risk of data exposure. Additionally, setting up a guest network in your home can further enhance your network’s security. Stay informed and tech-savvy to protect yourself and your personal information.
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