this post was submitted on 03 Oct 2023
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Privacy

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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.

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[–] [email protected] 52 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (3 children)

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
[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 year ago

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.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)
[–] RQG 4 points 1 year ago

Jesus Harold

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

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

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 year ago

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)

[–] [email protected] 33 points 1 year ago

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

[–] Number1SummerJam 26 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

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 5 points 1 year ago

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

[–] [email protected] 16 points 1 year ago
[–] [email protected] 16 points 1 year ago (1 children)
[–] wit 7 points 1 year ago (1 children)

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.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

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

[–] [email protected] 11 points 1 year ago (1 children)

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

[–] wit 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

This is what I was considering.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

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.

[–] [email protected] 9 points 1 year ago

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 8 points 1 year ago

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

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

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
[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)
[–] Eideen 4 points 1 year ago

Separate phone.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago

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

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

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

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

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.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago (2 children)

@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

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

What can you do with lucky patcher?

[–] wit 1 points 1 year ago

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.