Even Without an Account.. Reports Reveal TikTok's Ability to Track Users Online

Recent tech reports have sparked widespread controversy after revealing that the "TikTok" platform can track users' online behavior even if they have not installed the app or created an account, amid warnings from digital privacy experts about the volume of data that can be collected.

According to the reports, this tracking is done through a technology known as TikTok Pixel, which is a code used by some websites to monitor visitors' interactions with their pages. This technology sends information about users' activities directly to TikTok's servers, even if they do not have an account on the platform.

Concerns have been raised that some websites dealing with sensitive information, such as health sites, may transmit precise personal data, including email addresses or details related to users' health conditions.

As TikTok's ownership expands to include American investors such as Oracle and MGX, the scope of data collection has broadened to include user activities outside the app, such as online searches and purchases. This data can be used to target advertisements and analyze consumer behavior, potentially leading to commercial or political targeting.

For its part, TikTok has confirmed that the use of Pixel technology is a common practice in digital advertising, emphasizing its commitment to transparency and providing tools that allow users to control their privacy settings, and that the data is used to improve advertising services and platform performance.

Digital security experts advise users wishing to reduce tracking to follow several steps, including using privacy-focused browsers like DuckDuckGo and Brave, as well as installing tracking prevention extensions like Privacy Badger. iPhone users can also disable app tracking and revoke the app's access to geographical location through privacy settings.