What Data Does TikTok Collect?
TikTok collects an extensive range of data including your device identifiers, precise location, browsing and search history within the app, clipboard content, contacts, keystroke patterns, and biometric identifiers including faceprints and voiceprints. This is documented in TikTok's own privacy policy at tiktok.com/privacy.
What TikTok's Privacy Policy Actually Says
TikTok's privacy policy divides data collection into three categories: information you provide, information collected automatically, and information from third parties. Here is what each category contains, taken directly from their published policy.
1. Information You Provide
- Profile information: username, password, date of birth, email address, phone number
- User-generated content: videos, photos, audio, comments, hashtags, livestreams
- Messages sent through TikTok's in-app messaging feature
- Payment information if you purchase TikTok Coins or use TikTok Shop
- Contacts if you choose to sync your phone contacts
2. Information Collected Automatically
This is the most extensive category. TikTok's policy states they automatically collect:
- Device identifiers: IMEI, MAC address, device IDs, advertising identifiers
- Location data: GPS coordinates, IP address, SIM card information, Wi-Fi access points
- Browsing and search history within TikTok
- Keystroke patterns and rhythms
- Clipboard content (what you have copied)
- Metadata from content you upload (when, where, by what device)
- Cookies and tracking technologies across TikTok's advertising network
- Biometric identifiers: faceprints and voiceprints from user content
3. Information From Third Parties
- Advertising partners who share data about your activity on other websites and apps
- Social media platforms if you link your accounts
- Business partners including measurement and analytics providers
Policy quote on biometric data: TikTok's policy states: "We may collect biometric identifiers and biometric information as defined under US laws, such as faceprints and voiceprints, from your User Content." This is one of the most expansive biometric data collection disclosures of any consumer app.
TikTok Privacy Score
Data Champion Privacy Score
Very extensive
Very limited
Limited
Moderate
Frequently Asked Questions
What data does TikTok collect from my phone?
According to TikTok's privacy policy, they collect device identifiers (IMEI, MAC address, device IDs), location data (GPS, IP address, SIM card info), browsing and search history within the app, clipboard content, contacts if you grant permission, and biometric identifiers including faceprints and voiceprints.
Does TikTok collect data when the app is closed?
TikTok's privacy policy states they collect data through cookies and tracking technologies on third-party websites and apps that use TikTok's advertising services, meaning some data collection can occur even when the TikTok app itself is not open.
Does TikTok collect biometric data?
Yes. TikTok's privacy policy explicitly states they may collect 'biometric identifiers and biometric information' including 'faceprints and voiceprints' from user-generated content.
Does TikTok share my data with the Chinese government?
TikTok's privacy policy states data may be shared with its parent company ByteDance and affiliates. ByteDance is a Chinese company subject to Chinese law, which has raised concerns among governments about potential government access to user data.
Can I stop TikTok collecting my data?
You can limit some data collection through TikTok's privacy settings (disabling location, limiting ad personalisation), but TikTok's policy makes clear that core data collection — including device identifiers and usage data — cannot be fully opted out of while using the service.