While many apps such as those fun games you download and Social Media may seem free, the true cost is often hidden in how they use your personal data. How do platforms such as TikTok and Instagram turn your information into profit and what are the risks involved for you?
The Illusion of Free Apps
In today's digital age, the allure of free apps is hard to resist. Social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, SnapChat and TikTok offer endless entertainment and connectivity without charging a dime. However, the adage 'nothing in life is free' rings particularly true in this context. While you may not be paying with money, you are indeed paying with your personal data.
These platforms monetize your engagement by collecting and analysing your data. This includes your posts, likes, shares, and even your location. The more you engage, the more data they collect, all under the guise of offering you a 'free' service.
How Social Media Platforms Monetize Your Data
Social media platforms have crafted a business model that thrives on user data. This data is a goldmine for advertisers who want to target specific demographics with pinpoint accuracy. By analysing your behaviour, preferences, and even your social circles, these platforms can serve highly targeted ads that are more likely to result in a sale.
These companies also create a "digital profile" that is essentially a "digital file" on who you are, what you like, what you do online, who you know and much more. When you understand how detailed the digital profile these companies have of you, it gets pretty scary.
In short, YOU ARE THE PRODUCT THEY SELL.
Your data is sold to advertisers, who then use it to create personalized marketing campaigns. This is how companies like Facebook and SnapChat generate billions in revenue without ever charging their users directly.
TikTok however is allegedly taking it to the next level, but we'll get to that shortly.
What Data Are You Really Giving Up?
You might be surprised at the extent of data you're handing over to these social media giants. It's not just about your name and email address. These platforms can access your contacts, location history, search history, and even your private messages.
Photos and videos you upload are also part of the data pool. (Photos and Videos you don't upload could also be a part of the data pool!) Facial recognition technology can identify you in pictures, even if you haven't tagged yourself. This extensive data collection can paint a very detailed picture of your life, habits, and preferences.
The Government's Role: Case Study of TikTok
Governments around the world are becoming increasingly concerned about how social media platforms handle user data. A prime example is the recent action taken by the Canadian government against TikTok. Following a national security review under the Investment Canada Act, the government ordered the wind-up of TikTok Technology Canada Inc. due to concerns about data misuse and potential espionage.
The review revealed that TikTok's data collection practices were not only invasive but also posed a significant risk to national security. The app was found to be sharing user data with the Chinese government, allowing for extensive surveillance of Canadian users.
Why TikTok is being BANNED Around the World
The concerns about TikTok are not limited to Canada. Countries like the United States, India, and several European nations have also raised alarms about the app's data practices. The core issue is that TikTok collects vast amounts of data, including location, device information, and user interactions, which can be accessed by the Chinese government under local laws.
This has led to widespread bans and restrictions on the app, as governments try to protect their citizens' data from foreign surveillance. The global response to TikTok serves as a stark reminder of the hidden costs of using 'free' social media apps.
Basically - TikTok users are now being used by the Chinese government to spy on citizens around the world, which in turn allows them to know everything about the people. This allegedly includes anything and everything you do on your device, even when not running the software. Imagine the Chinese government knowing every website you visit, what you shop for online, what you have in the bank, who you talk to on the phone as well as through texts, what you are talking about, and so much more. The alleged espionage is quite scary, and individuals need to assess whether or not they are comfortable giving up their personal lives and information to a foreign government.
Protecting Your Data: Steps You Can Take
While it's challenging to completely avoid using social media, there are steps you can take to protect your data. First, be mindful of the permissions you grant to these apps. Limit access to your location, contacts, and other sensitive information.
Secondly, regularly review and update your privacy settings. Make use of features that allow you to control who sees your posts and personal information.
Although we are all free to choose which apps we use and how we use them, it is a good idea to think twice and pay attention to what government agencies around the world are saying. Social Media companies are known as "giants" for a good reason, because they have more information on individuals than governments do.
Remember the days when we were all worried about the information the government held about people and how we tried to avoid enabling government profiling? It's funny how the tides have turned and now people volunteer their data to private companies that are making a killing off our personal data.
Think twice before that next social media post... and more importantly, think twice about which social media platform apps you actually download to your device.