TikTok’s Sensitive Data Policy: Confusion and Caution Among Users

Staff Report: PNN

Following a change in ownership structure, updated privacy policies by TikTok in the United States have caused widespread concern among users. After receiving a notification within the app about the policy change, many users expressed worries on social media that TikTok might collect their highly sensitive personal information.

The new policy states that, if necessary, certain sensitive data obtained through content or surveys from users—such as citizenship, immigration status, sexual life or orientation, physical and mental health information—may be processed. Following this disclosure, many users raised concerns about privacy, and some even threatened to delete their accounts.

Experts, however, say that this language is not new and does not indicate excessive surveillance on users. Similar explanations were present in previous privacy policies. The language has been primarily used to comply with strict privacy laws in various U.S. states.

Specifically, under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA), companies are required to notify users if they collect or process “sensitive personal information.” These laws classify citizenship, immigration status, racial identity, sexual identity, and certain location data as sensitive.

Legal experts explain that TikTok’s policy essentially means that if users themselves create content or videos mentioning such information, it could technically become part of the platform’s data. However, this information will be used according to the law and will not be collected or analyzed arbitrarily.

In the current political context, this issue has become even more sensitive. With stricter enforcement of immigration laws in the U.S. and recent protests, many fear that such data could increase the risk of government surveillance. Technology and privacy analysts emphasize that social media privacy policies are primarily written for lawyers and regulators, not for general users, which is why the language may appear strict or intimidating.

Notably, TikTok’s operations in the U.S. were recently brought under a joint initiative due to concerns about potential foreign surveillance. Recent user reactions indicate that many are now more concerned about the potential use of their data by their own government rather than foreign threats.