TikTok's new US joint venture has made changes to its privacy policy that include expanding the type of location data the company can collect from its 200 million American users.
The new policy was published after investors closed a deal with TikTok's Chinese owner ByteDance on Thursday to run the popular short-form video app's business in the US.
The new joint venture said in its updated privacy terms that it may now collect precise location data, depending on your settings - a change from the previous policy which allowed for the collection of approximate location data.
TikTok did not immediately respond to inquiries regarding this change.
The company noted that sensitive personal information would be processed in accordance with applicable law and that users have the option to turn off location services in their device settings.
Previously, TikTok collected location information based on a user's SIM card or IP address, but had not utilized GPS information from American users. Precise location sharing has not yet been enabled, but TikTok plans to make it optional for users to opt in.
The new venture will also enhance data collection related to user interactions with TikTok's artificial intelligence tools, including prompts and user submissions.
Under the joint venture led by Oracle and supported by other investors, there are ongoing efforts to secure U.S. user data and develop a robust cybersecurity strategy. However, some lawmakers are expressing concern about ByteDance's continued stake in the venture amid fears over data access and influence.
The agreement follows a tumultuous history between Washington and Beijing regarding TikTok's operations, particularly concerning national security implications.
The new joint venture appears to mark a significant shift in how TikTok handles user data in the U.S., aiming to align better with regulatory expectations while addressing data privacy concerns.
