TikTok post helps solve murder case, leading to suspect's arrest - Benjamin Robert “Bambi” Williams, 41, the man accused of murdering Joana Peca, 27, in St. Petersburg, Florida, in July, was captured in Mexico City. The breakthrough came when a TikTok user identified him from a photo in a video, prompting his arrest by US Marshals. After being extradited, Williams was finally in custody in Pinellas County, and authorities informed Peca’s family of his capture.

TikTok remains the world's most downloaded app, with over a billion videos viewed daily. Even if you don’t use it, you’ve likely encountered one of its viral trends. Despite being helpful to resolve this murder case, there have been raising concerns about mental health impacts, user privacy, and data security as the popularity of the platform continues to grow.

With over one billion users worldwide and 170 million in the US alone, this raises an important question: how can users protect themselves on TikTok? Click through this gallery to find out more about the risks and how to safeguard your information.

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Number one -

TikTok has beaten rival, long-standing social media apps to be the most downloaded app in the world since 2020.

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Unique algorithm -

TikTok’s runaway success is largely due to its unique algorithm, that matches videos to its users based on interests they submit on signing up.

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Mind-reading? -

By tracking the videos you like and interact with, and logging the time spent watching them, new videos  appear in a way that seems like mind-reading.

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Customized -

As the algorithm hones your preferences, within hours or minutes your videos become more customized to your interests.

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Addictive -

This customization means it’s easier to spend a longer time on the app without noticing. Videos are short and specific enough to hold your interest, to keep you scrolling for longer.

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Health risks -

TikTok’s infinite scroll feed sends a lot of new information, which could lead to problems with focus and memory loss. This can lead to problems at work or school, and even mental health issues.

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Dopamine -

The neuropsychology of apps like TikTok plays with dopamine receptors in the brain. This makes its design addictive, and could lead to anxiety and depression.

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Bad reputation -

TikTok has gained a bad reputation when it comes to security. However, some cybersecurity experts have said that credit card fraud and password protection should be bigger concerns for the average person.

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Data collection -

TikTok collects information about users including usage, device, location, metadata, and cookies.

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“Trusted partners” -

While the information is not sold to third parties, TikTok’s Privacy Policy states the information is shared with "trusted partners," which includes advertisers.

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Message info collection -

TikTok’s data collection isn’t limited to the videos you watch; information is also collected from your messages.

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No end-to-end encryption -

Unlike some popular messaging apps, TikTok does not have end-to-end encryption built into its messages. In other words, the information you send and receive is not as secure.

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Privacy risk -

In terms of privacy, TikTok’s risk is similar to the risk posed by other social media sharing apps like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

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Children’s privacy -

TikTok has a separate privacy policy for children, defined as those under 13 years old. However, it’s limited to kids located in the US.

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Children’s privacy -

The children’s privacy policy is more restrictive than the one for adults, with the data collected by the app being limited to less data categories.

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Content of interest -

Although there is a policy in place, that doesn’t rule out people with bad intentions targeting kids using the app. As the algorithm is targeted, children could find content of interest that might not be appropriate for their age.

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Security infractions -

TikTok has a history of security infractions. It was accused of collecting biometric data from minors without consent, and a class action lawsuit over data privacy claims in the US was settled for US$92 million.

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Digital footprint -

If you are concerned about the risks posed by TikTok, it’s probably best either to not use the app or to reduce your digital footprint while using it.

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Sharing -

Users have control over what they share. You don’t have to share your full name or age. If you post, avoid filming in locations/surroundings that are identifiable.

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Finding -

It’s possible to prevent your account being shared with the entire app’s community. In settings, you can turn off the "Suggest your account to others" function, so people can’t find you.

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Interaction -

You can restrict the messages you receive in the app to just friends. You can also prevent videos you post from being downloaded.

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Private account -

A private account setting means you have to approve anyone who wants to follow you, and only friends can see the content that you’ve liked.

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Misinformation -

Due to its popularity and the speed of video proliferation, TikTok has a huge potential for misinformation. Some people use the app as a news source, but users should keep in mind it’s not a reputable news agency.

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Chinese government -

TikTok’s parent company ByteDance has maintained it would never share user data with the Chinese government. It has argued it is a US-based entity and subject to US laws.

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ByteDance -

A BuzzFeed News report found ByteDance employees can and do gain access to US TikTok users’ data in some situations.

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American military -

The US military banned members using TikTok on government devices in late 2019 and early 2020, alongside other federal agencies in the US.

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Biden administration -

In June 2021, President Joe Biden replaced a proposed executive order by Donald Trump with his own one, acknowledging the threat posed by sensitive data sharing to certain countries.

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European Union fines -

European regulators hit TikTok with a US$368 million fine in 2023, for privacy violations dating back to the second half of 2020.

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European Union fines -

The investigation by the European Union found a sign-up process for teens had made their TikTok accounts public by default.

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Using a VPN -

A VPN encrypts your data, preventing apps from accessing your location, IP address, and other sensitive information. It can add a layer of security when you use apps like TikTok.

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Lawsuits -

Several US states have filed lawsuits against TikTok, accusing the platform of harming children's well-being through addictive features. The lawsuits claim TikTok's design promotes compulsive use, exposing young users to mental and physical risks, while misleading the public about its safety. This legal action follows similar cases against Meta, highlighting growing concerns over social media's impact on young people's mental health.

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Dropping it -

TikTok executives reportedly prioritized boosting public trust and user retention rather than reducing time spent on the app. Despite public scrutiny over teen mental health, TikTok's tool only decreased usage by 1.5 minutes daily. A lawsuit by 14 state attorneys general alleges TikTok has "addicted" young users and contributed to mental health issues, but the company maintains that their safety efforts are strong and ongoing.

Sources: (Wired) (The New York Times) (Business Insider) (VPNOverview) (Institute for Family Studies)

See also: A brief history of social media

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