Spyke
privacy·Privacybywit

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.

View original on lemmy.world

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.

5

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)

5

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

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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.

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

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witreply
lemmy.world

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.

7
lemmy.one

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

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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.

1

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.

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

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lemm.ee

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
5

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.

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

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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

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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.

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kbin.social

@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

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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.

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