It's already known just how extensive TikTok is pantun lucahabout collecting user data. From names, users’ approximate locations, and IP addresses, to even keystrokes, it's pretty intense. This meticulous level of data collection is an advertisers' wet dream, but it's the method by which TikTok catalogs that data that reportedly gave rise to recent internal concerns.
As The Wall Street Journalreported on Friday, former TikTok employees have claimed that the app has been tracking the videos that users watch under topics, including "LGBT," and in essence compiling lists of users who watch such content, which could at one point be viewed by some employees through a dashboard.
SEE ALSO: Montana legislature passes TikTok banThe WSJ described the groupings as "clusters," which function like the notorious "taste clusters" at Netflix that have been extensively mocked and parodied. They had names such as "mainstream female," "alt female," "southeastern black male," and "coastal, white-collar male," according to the Journal's report. TikTok does not ask for users' sexual orientation, but based on the content users watch, it appears the algorithm was, at the very least, assuming that users were members of the LGBTQ community and categorizing them accordingly, all in the name of getting people to use the app more.
In one telling example, the WSJnotes that the "alt-female" cluster branches out into content related to "tattoos, some lesbian content, and 'Portland.'"
As noted in the report, it is not uncommon for many social media and ad-tech companies to infer traits about their users based on online behavior. They use it to select which content or ads to serve to users. However, with TikTok's "clusters" system, liking LGBT content didn't just mean you were shown more queer-friendly content, but it seems the app as a whole essentially labeled users as members of the community.
This sketchy way of cataloging user data lead to internal worries, according to the WSJ, as some TikTok employees could view the unique identification numbers of users and the list of users who were watching videos in each cluster. This raised fears among the workers that the data could be shared with outside parties or used to blackmail LGBT users, the WSJreported. Especially since Tiktok has admitted in the past to spying on reporters.
A spokeswoman for TikTok told the WSJthat the app doesn't identify sensitive information based on what users watch and that users' interests do not necessarily represent their identity. TikTok also confirmed that the dashboard used to access data on watchers of gay content was deleted nearly a year ago.
TikTok still collects this data but has simply replaced the cluster names with numbers and restricted access to a smaller number of employees within the company's new U.S. unit.
It'll be interesting to see how this new development plays out as the US continues to push to ban TikTok in the country. However, given the US government's own capabilities of spying on its own citizens and its, at best, "tolerance" of the LGBTQ community right now, this might not mean much to the relevant policymakers in DC.
Topics TikTok
Muratsuchi Co
How to watch 'Street Gang,' the new Sesame Street documentary
Bluetooth headphones will connect wirelessly to United's new planes
Honda finally announces its first electric vehicle, coming in 2024
NPS Awards $1.5 Million in Grants for Preservation of JA Confinement Sites
Telegram now lets you video chat on group calls
Why the mega comet is so fascinating — and not a threat to Earth
Honda finally announces its first electric vehicle, coming in 2024
JANM Appoints Karen Ishizuka Chief Curator
Apple Watch 7 might have a bigger battery, report claims
Applications Now Available for Kizuna's Leadership Program
How to connect your headphones to your TV
'Loki' is giving Tumblr a chance to relive its first Marvel obsession
The top dating trends of 2021, so far
A Sign from the Past
How to clean an air fryer
Space images show how terrible California drought is
Pokémon Go: The newest dating app to make you a good catch
Celebrate Aiko Herzig Yoshinaga’s Life on Sept. 2 at JANM
U.S. to add 'X' gender markers to passports without requiring medical documentation
Jack Dorsey exits Twitter's board of directorsTruth Social has a web app now, still not on AndroidGoFundMe has launched a verified fundraising hub for the Robb Elementary School shootingWordle today: Here's the answer, hints for May 25Wordle today: Answer, hints for May 17Elon Musk tells Tesla workers that 'remote work is no longer acceptable'Former OpenSea employee arrested for insider trading of NFTs'This is Going to Hurt' review: A darkly funny picture of life as a doctorHow to start a podcast in 7 simple steps'Mona Lisa' had a hell of a weekend Facebook scraps custom reaction buttons, including rainbow Pride flag 'Queer Eye' Season 2 features show's first makeover for a trans man Simone Giertz, creator of 'Shitty Robots,' undergoes surgery to remove brain tumor Jack Dorsey faces backlash after tweet about Chick Snapchat's dino filter gives this birthday video a very lewd twist YouTuber Simone Giertz posts photo of 'super villain scar' after brain surgery Pete Davidson and Ariana Grande are reportedly engaged, and everyone's freaking out Famous kid who fought for his lesbian moms just won his Iowa primary A Fox News host mistakenly referred to Trump as a 'dictator' Broccoli coffee is a thing, because you're not eating your vegetables
0.2014s , 9883.171875 kb
Copyright © 2025 Powered by 【pantun lucah】Enter to watch online.WSJ report on user 'clusters' reveals how unsettling TikTok's data collection can be,Global Perspective Monitoring
