Here’s How TikTok and Instagram Are Tracking You By Using An In-App Browsing Tool

Whenever we use our phones, we must be vigilant about what data apps can get from us without us knowing. Although you can control what data you choose to give to these apps, some apps may not fully disclose what other data they might get from you. And it seems that iOS users have something new to look out for regarding their browsing safety, particularly while using Instagram and TikTok. But you will know which activities these apps can track using an in-app browsing tool.

The In-App Browsing Tool

The Verge is one of the first media outlets to report the new in-app browsing tool: InAppBrowser.com. But how do you use this tool? Well, Felix Krause, the developer, has said that you can open this site by sending this link through your friend’s DM OR posting it as a comment in any post. Open the site, and you’ll see technical jargon. However, Krause provides users information on what type of data Instagram and TikTok might be getting from you.

Krause posted about the security vulnerability on his blog last Aug. 10, 2022. Even if the in-app browsing tool is a great way of knowing what Instagram or TikTok can be tracking, it still has its flaws. But it will help non-technical users learn more about how their activities can be tracked. Plus, he made the app open source so other developers could improve on this script.

In addition, TikTok and Meta have even responded to Krause’s findings. TikTok has mentioned that they do not in any way collect keystroke (typing-related tracking activity) on the code, but it has been used for “debugging and performance monitoring.”

Meta has also said their piece about Krause’s findings. The code in question was for “measurement.” It’s to ensure they respect users’ decisions on what data they can track for advertising purposes.

Is TikTok and Instagram Safe to Use?

News has circulated that the Chinese government can access Tiktok users’ private data. And it was reported on July 1, 2022, that they have access to US user data.

Another thing to note when using this app is that messages aren’t encrypted either. Your messages to friends will not be as secure as other chat apps that would use end-to-end encryption.

How about Instagram?

Well, being a company under the Meta group, Instagram also collects information from users’ behaviors. 

What TikTok tracks?

According to Wired, here are the data that TikTok gets from its users. Other social media networks do the same.

• Activities and preferences
• Clipboard files, such as text, videos, and images
• Location, which you can turn off

What Instagram tracks?

pCloud, a cloud storage firm, found that Instagram was the most invasive app in 2020. Based on their study, it appears that Instagram collects the following data:

• Purchases
• Location
• Contact details
• User content
• Search and browsing history
• Identifiers
• Usage data
• Diagnostic
• Financial info

How to Stay Safe from These Apps?

Even if these apps collect your data, you can still enjoy using them. However, you might have to limit usage by:

• Not sharing your personal info (numbers, addresses)
• Making your profile private
• Turning off location

Of course, the one solution to help you be safe from these apps is to delete them. You may have used it, and they have collected data from you. But if you no longer want more of your information tracked, deletion is the best way to do so.

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