Shocking Truth: Your Phone’s Evil Twin Is Stealing Your Life – Delete These Apps Now!

The Office of Cybersecurity at the Capitol has directed all personnel to remove any ByteDance applications from their devices last month, and cybersecurity expert Kim Komando from USA Today recommends you follow suit.

On August 8, Komando stated, “For those who believe the ByteDance concerns are exaggerated, here’s an extensive list of information you surrender each time you browse TikTok: Your name, age, username, email address, password, phone number and location. Your IP address, cellphone carrier, time zone, the model of your device and the OS you use.”

Additional data collected by the app includes biometric information, facial recognition data, voice samples, message content, purchase history, and activities on other websites, stores, or applications. It also gathers information on file names and types, keystroke patterns, frequently visited web pages, and saved items. The app even records objects and scenery appearing in watched videos, such as landmarks or retail establishments.

Familyguide reported on August 1:

According to The New York Post on July 30, “ByteDance products will be blocked and removed on House-managed devices, starting with mobile devices. If you have a ByteDance application on your House-managed mobile device, you will be contacted to remove it,” as explained in the notice to staff.

Roll Call reported, “Tuesday’s message to House offices increases pressure on members and staff who may still be using ByteDance apps. In addition to TikTok, it includes the popular video-editing app CapCut, which can be used to edit Instagram reels and YouTube shorts.”

Komando emphasized, “The volume of data TikTok collects is so vast that it nearly replicates your entire phone.”

However, ByteDance isn’t the only Chinese company amassing large amounts of personal data.

“Temu markets itself with the slogan ‘Shop like a billionaire’ – referring to the extremely low prices on a wide range of products from clothing to household items to electronics. While the company is registered in the U.S., Temu is owned by PDD Holdings, which is based in China. That same company also owns Pinduoduo, an app that was removed from the Google Play store due to malware concerns,” USA Today reported.

Temu has the capability to monitor activity across other apps, track notifications, read private messages, and alter settings. With additional permissions, it can access contacts, calendars, photos, social media accounts, and text messages.

The app is notorious for its insecure payment system, potentially allowing the sale or retention of payment information to fraudulent entities, resulting in unexplained fraudulent charges for its users.

Customer support is often unresponsive, and users frequently encounter issues with their orders.

Melanie McGovern, director of public relations and social media for the BBB, told TIME in 2022, “They’re making delivery promises, and people aren’t receiving their items when they’re supposed to.”

Security.org noted that it shares “an astounding amount of your data and information.”

The cybersecurity expert from USA Today advises deleting any ByteDance or Temu apps if you have them installed.

For those who must use TikTok, she suggests installing it on an old device not linked to personal information such as messages, emails, or banking details.

Furthermore, avoid using it on your personal Wi-Fi network. Instead, purchase an inexpensive data plan or utilize a guest network.

Finally, Komando advises, “Consider whether those videos, photo editing tools, and cheap products are truly worth all the hassle.”