I am considering installing TikTok. Any suggestion on how to make it less privacy-invasive?

I want to follow some people on tiktok, for the content they put out. I am, however, a somewhat privacy-minded person. Any suggestion on how to make TikTok less privacy-invasive? Some DNS app?

I am on Android, not rooted.

6 points · 28 comments · view on lemmy.world

28 Comments

anon5621@lemmy.ml · 52 pts · 2y (5 replies)

Better use just web version if honestly.Because application is really awful.

https://gist.github.com/Theoistic/d419667b1052c4c21e789341e085b5a0

Just look at permission manifest of android.

It has

  • location tracking
  • phone calls reading
  • Making screenshot of your scren
  • get wifi networks around you
  • facial recognition
  • Microphone analyze of your speech
bl00dmeat@kbin.social · 5 pts · 2y

Wow thanks for sharing that gist! I never even considered installing and don't use it, it's just wild to see how insane that list is.

nick@midwest.social · 3 pts · 2y (1 reply)

Jesus h.

RQG@lemmy.world · 4 pts · 2y

Jesus Harold

ViciousTurducken@lemmy.one · 2 pts · 2y (1 reply)

You don't have to give it permission to do any of those things

anon5621@lemmy.ml · 5 pts · 2y

So far not every u can control,how u would prevent screenshoting of screen? U will need using something like appmanager which require adb or root (better ofc)

mp3@lemmy.ca · 33 pts · 2y

The only winning move with that platform is not to play with it at all. It's a privacy hellhole.

Number1SummerJam@lemmy.world · 26 pts · 2y (1 reply)

I suggest you avoid short-form video apps entirely. There is a correlation between reduced interest in learning/ADHD and Short form video formats 1 2 3. When you use sites like Lemmy and actively read, you are at least becoming a better reader and critical thinker. Short form video shows you fast-paced content tailored to you that's designed to keep you addicted and entranced. From what I've seen firsthand, once people start using these platforms they have a hard time stopping.

wit@lemmy.world · 5 pts · 2y

Thank you for the sources! I will surely read them.

cooopsspace@infosec.pub · 16 pts · 2y

Don't

WarmSoda@lemm.ee · 16 pts · 2y (2 replies)

Why?

wit@lemmy.world · 7 pts · 2y (1 reply)

This is a good question and one that whose answer is probably not going to be well received in this community but:

  • I want to follow some stand up comedians. I like to laugh. Sue me.

I tried finding their content elsewhere but was not very successful. Seems like TikTok is being used more and more for that.

WarmSoda@lemm.ee · 7 pts · 2y

Firefox. Ad block. YouTube. Just look them up.

ViciousTurducken@lemmy.one · 11 pts · 2y (2 replies)

Totally fake profile data, VPN with DNS tracker blocking, and put it in a separate user profile or work profile.

wit@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 2y (1 reply)

This is what I was considering.

Boring@lemmy.ml · 1 pts · 2y

Also consider the possibility of the app implementing DNS over https/TLS you may want to find a DNS that filters knonw DoH and block port 853 on your router.

miss_brainfart@lemmy.ml · 9 pts · 2y

Do you want to use an account?

Maybe you could use a frontend like proxitok in the browser instead, and bookmark the people you want to follow? Or maybe this works with RSS, but I don't know, never used proxitok.

I don't actually know if it still works, or how well it ever worked, for that matter. But that would definitely be a lot more private than having the official app installed.

Zak@lemmy.world · 8 pts · 2y

It seems to me viewing their content via TikTok's website is a good solution. Bonus points for private mode or clearing cookies afterward.

Dioxide3667@kbin.social · 7 pts · 2y
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jeffhykin@lemm.ee · 5 pts · 2y (2 replies)

Most of the comments seem to be missing the point. AFAIK the question is "how can I sandbox a malicious app?" which would be nice to know the answer to.

  • Different profile/VPN is a good start
  • What about location spoofing?
  • What options are their for faking mic data/call logs
  • How to protect against nearby WiFi detection
  • Do user profiles protect against screen access
  • etc
eddie_of_ny@lemmy.ml · 2 pts · 2y (1 reply)
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jeffhykin@lemm.ee · 1 pts · 2y

Thanks for all those details! I'll be taking a look at a ton of those things, especially the rooted tools. I'd love to be able to feed Google Play services a bunch of garbage data on a burner account.

Lemmchen@feddit.de · 5 pts · 2y
Eideen@lemmy.world · 4 pts · 2y

Separate phone.

Boring@lemmy.ml · 4 pts · 2y

Install insular, put it on a work profile, block all telemetry at dns level

ame@lemmy.frozeninferno.xyz · 3 pts · 2y (1 reply)

I don't understand the down votes here. Yea TikTok = bad, but you basically have to have one nowadays if you do anything social media related for your job

Dsklnsadog@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 2 pts · 2y

We have lots of fanatics here too. I would never ever use TikTok but that didn't mean I think someone who use it is less privacy focus than me. Other people other needs.

It's a good question how to sandbox a shitty but needed app.

chr@reddthat.com · 3 pts · 2y
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EpicFailGuy@kbin.social · 2 pts · 2y (2 replies)

@wit

Moded APK with lucky patcher
localhost blocklist to make sure you're not uploadign a bunch of info
Shelter and install it in it's own virtualized profile

ViciousTurducken@lemmy.one · 2 pts · 2y

What can you do with lucky patcher?

wit@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 2y

Moded APK with lucky patcher

Can you tell me more about this lucky patcher? Any links? I have never installed an APK, other than the f-droid one. I stick to apps from stores.

JanFedder@feddit.de · 1 pts · 2y
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