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What you should know about the Data Protection Policies: BeReal & TikTok Apps
[/vc_column_text][us_separator][vc_column_text]On January 28th, the International Day for the Protection of Personal Data was celebrated.Data Privacy International Day, so in its commemoration, let's talk about personal data policies on social media, more specifically the BeReal and Tiktok apps, which have undoubtedly become some of the most used social networks today. However, before delving into the policies themselves, it's important to note that when we talk about personal data, we're referring to all data that allows a natural person to be identified directly or indirectly, such as their name, age, date of birth, last name, among others, from which social media profit, as it's an essential part of their business. Now, the first thing that stands out in both data policies is the following warning: "If you don't agree with the data policy, it's best not to use the app." But of course, how can we agree or disagree if we don't even stop to read them? Below are some practices we should follow:
- In the case of TikTok, the network begins collecting personal data whether the person creates an account with them or not, since even the mere fact of interacting with the application and downloading it allows them to obtain personal data from the potential user.
- Another way TikTok and BeReal collect data is through system usage preferences. This also generates significant economic value for app developers by allowing them to share it with third parties or business partners who pay them for this information.
- The terms of use will depend on the country where the interaction with the application takes place. In the case of TikTok, it will depend on whether the user is located in the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union, Switzerland, or India, given that these countries have regulations and policies within the application itself.
- For its part, BeReal refers to French and European Union data protection legislation, and the regulations of the states of California and Virginia are also applicable for use in the United States of America.
- These apps can store precise location data, acting as a GPS, as well as information based on the SIM card in our devices, regardless of the device(s) used to access the account.
- In the case of BeReal, there is the option to enable geolocation, but also to easily disable it, which can be as precise as the person desires.
- It is interesting to know that the period of time during which the applications will be able to store and use personal information varies between both. In the case of TikTok, it indicates that the information will be kept for as long as necessary to provide the service. In addition, if the service is no longer provided, it will be kept as long as it has a commercial purpose. Sometimes the application may even retain the data for longer periods of time for legal claims, for example.
- BeReal provides a table indicating the categories of information collected and the length of time it is retained. For example, data obtained through geolocation during use of the app or until consent is withdrawn can be retained for up to three years. Additionally, it indicates that if the user requests account deletion, the app deletes the collected information within 30 days, and its backups within 90 days.
- By using BeReal, the user creates content called “User Content” over which it is understood that the user is the owner of the intellectual property rights, however, a very important aspect is that by sharing it, the application and its users are granted a free and non-exclusive worldwide license for 30 years, so that users can share and reproduce the content generated on WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, SnapChat, Instagram and, in general, on any social network or application capable of interacting with the application, as well as host, store, reproduce, modify, adapt, display, publish, edit, distribute and sublicense all or part of the content for users, and are even authorized to carry out marketing, communication or promotional activities.
The Irish Data Protection Commission has been one of the most stringent in the defense and protection of personal data, having recently fined the social network Instagram 405 million euros for not offering adequate protection measures for minors under 18 years of age by allowing easy access to their personal data. Although Instagram, BeReal, and TikTok prohibit access to minors under 13 years of age, it is very easy to circumvent this limitation by indicating a different date of birth. This raises the question of why, if our personal data is so highly valued by companies worldwide, we, the owners, do not worry about protecting it. [/vc_column_text] [us_separator] [vc_column_text] Written by: Licda. Ana Laura Cubero [/vc_column_text] [/vc_column] [/vc_row]
