Why is there mistrust of TikTok, and why have governments and institutions in both North America and Europe banned it?

This week we learned that Canada will prohibit its officials from using the popular video app TikTok on official mobile devices, thus joining the United States and the European Union (EU) in their ban on the platform.

The reason is that the analysis of the mobile app’s behavior in relation to its Terms of Service found that TikTok’s data collection methods would leave its users vulnerable to a cyberattack“.

In an interview with TV3, Selva Orejón agreed with the opinion expressed by [ …United States Congressman Michael McCaul, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, has defined TikTok as a “modern Trojan horse”. “It is indeed,” says Selva Orejón, an expert in cybersecurity and digital identity.]

[ …The expert agrees in pointing out that the underlying issue is “where the information ends up, whether in the United States or in Chinese intelligence.” “In the case of TikTok or any company operating in Chinese territory, there is no doubt that they will have access to this information,” she states.]

[…Orejón considers the step taken by administrations such as the European Parliament to be logical:

“Since users themselves are not taking measures regarding their digital footprint, a common right—which is security—must be protected, and it is evident that people who are part of entities like this must keep their privacy much more tightly guarded.

It is easier to do so as a group. Especially given the amount of data requested by TikTok.”…]

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