Privacy @lemmy.ml wit @lemmy.world 9 mo. ago

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.

28 comments

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
- 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.
- Jesus h.
  
  Jesus Harold
- You don't have to give it permission to do any of those things
  
  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)
The only winning move with that platform is not to play with it at all. It's a privacy hellhole.
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.
- Thank you for the sources! I will surely read them.
Why?
- 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.
  
  Firefox. Ad block. YouTube. Just look them up.
Don't
Totally fake profile data, VPN with DNS tracker blocking, and put it in a separate user profile or work profile.
- This is what I was considering.
  
  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.
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.
It seems to me viewing their content via TikTok's website is a good solution. Bonus points for private mode or clearing cookies afterward.
Permanently Deleted
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
- Permanently Deleted
  
  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.
https://github.com/pablouser1/ProxiTok
Install insular, put it on a work profile, block all telemetry at dns level
Separate phone.
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
- 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.
Use it in sandboxed "Work Profile" (AOSP) or even better... get a second phone for that.
@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
- What can you do with lucky patcher?
- 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.
You could try proxitok, which is a frontend for tiktok, similar to nitter for Twitter (now X) or invidious for Youtube.

You can set a creators page as a bookmark for example.

Since I haven't used it for a long time I'm not sure how many instances are up or how performant they are. But I think it could be worth a try

You've viewed 28 comments.