As the Supreme Court prepares to hear TikTok’s challenge to the impending US ban, security experts reveal concerning trends about the platform’s expanding digital presence. Ivan Tsarynny, CEO of Feroot Security, reports a 35% increase in TikTok’s presence on healthcare websites over the past year, despite heightened scrutiny.
“What is really concerning is that those pixels and trackers that are all over the websites we use every day are collecting a lot of information,” Tsarynny warns. “Whether it’s what websites you use, what you enter into the websites, where you’re coming in – all this information can potentially be used for nefarious reasons.”
The revelation comes as major tech companies face a January 19 deadline to remove TikTok from app stores and servers or risk billions in fines. According to Bloomberg, companies could face penalties of $5,000 per user, with TikTok claiming 170 million monthly US users.
Ivan emphasizes that TikTok’s data collection extends beyond its app users, potentially affecting anyone visiting websites with TikTok trackers. He speculates this vast data collection could be used for “targeting individuals or groups of people or even potentially teaching AI systems to be more precise on targeting Americans.”
These security concerns align with the legislation’s intent, which addresses national security risks related to TikTok’s Chinese ownership. While tech-savvy users propose various workarounds to the ban, experts warn that the platform’s data collection mechanisms reach far beyond the app itself.
The Supreme Court’s decision could significantly impact not just social media access, but the broader landscape of digital privacy and data collection in America. As Tsarynny’s findings suggest, the challenge of protecting American data extends well beyond simply banning a single app.
