On January 17th, 2025, CNBC interviewed, Ivan Tsarynny, CEO of Feroot Security, about the risks of TikTok’s extensive data collection capabilities that stretch far beyond its mobile application. As discussions around TikTok’s potential ban, Tsarynny’s insights expose a broader landscape of digital surveillance affecting Americans’ privacy.
“TikTok is present on many websites where it’s able to collect data on Americans that never even use the app itself,” Tsarynny emphasized during the interview. This revelation comes at a crucial time as the Supreme Court examines the platform’s future in the United States.
The security expert detailed how tracking pixels, embedded across various websites, enable data collection regardless of whether users have the TikTok app installed. These trackers can capture sensitive information including personal details, browsing habits, and even transaction data when users visit healthcare providers or book travel arrangements.
Of particular concern is the mandatory data-sharing relationship between Chinese companies and authorities. “Under Chinese laws, companies that are required to share the information may need to keep it confidential,” Tsarynny explained. “We may not even know that the data was shared with the CCP.”
The scope of data collection extends beyond TikTok to other Chinese-owned applications and services. Tsarynny highlighted an emerging risk in the global AI race, suggesting that collected data could be used to train AI models, potentially giving Chinese AI technologies a competitive advantage.
While technical solutions exist to block these tracking technologies, Tsarynny noted that implementation remains limited among average consumers. “There are ways individuals can prevent certain tracking technologies from being loaded on the browser itself, but the usage is very low,” he stated.
As the debate over TikTok’s future continues, Tsarynny’s testimony underscores a critical reality: addressing privacy concerns requires looking beyond individual apps to examine the broader ecosystem of digital surveillance and data collection practices that affect Americans’ daily online activities.
The interview serves as a wake-up call for both policymakers and consumers, highlighting the need for comprehensive approaches to data privacy and security in an increasingly interconnected digital world.
