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.

  • m-p{3}@lemmy.ca
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    1 year ago

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

  • Number1SummerJam@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    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@lemmy.worldOP
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      1 year ago

      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.

      • Boring@lemmy.ml
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        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.

  • miss_brainfart@lemmy.ml
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    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@lemmy.world
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    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.

  • jeffhykin@lemm.ee
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    1 year ago

    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
      • jeffhykin@lemm.ee
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        1 year ago

        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.

  • Boring@lemmy.ml
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    1 year ago

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

  • ame@lemmy.frozeninferno.xyz
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    1 year ago

    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

    • Dsklnsadog@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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      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.