TikTok Tracks Users Across Websites and Platforms, Privacy Lawsuit Says

TikTok and its parent company, ByteDance, agreed to a $400 million payment after the U.S. government accused them of illegally collecting children’s personal information.^[1]

The case also alleges that the companies violated an earlier privacy order. A federal judge is now questioning whether part of the agreement goes far enough.^[2]

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Why TikTok’s $400 million deal hit a snag

Under the proposed settlement, TikTok would pay $300 million immediately. Another $100 million would become due if the court agrees to terminate a 2019 Federal Trade Commission consent decree imposed on Musical.ly, the app that was later folded into TikTok.

That order requires TikTok to maintain certain reporting and record-keeping practices through 2029.

U.S. District Judge George H. Wu indicated that the court had not received enough information to determine whether ending the decree would provide a lasting remedy, according to Reuters.

The underlying case began in 2024, when the Justice Department and FTC accused TikTok and ByteDance of violating the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act.

The FTC alleged that TikTok knowingly allowed millions of children under 13 onto its regular platform and collected their information without parental permission. The government also accused TikTok of creating ways for users to bypass its age gate.

According to the complaint, the company collected children’s activity data and persistent identifiers that could be used to build profiles. The allegations were resolved through the settlement without a determination of liability. TikTok says it has since strengthened its privacy practices and age controls.

Stop TikTok from peeking outside the app

Businesses can share information with TikTok about activity that happens elsewhere online. That data can reveal which websites you visited and whether you downloaded another app. TikTok may also share purchases and other interactions for advertising purposes.

To clear activity associated with your account, go to:

Profile > Menu ☰ > Settings and privacy > Ads (you have to scroll a bit; it’s under Content & Display) > Clear activity (bottom of the menu)

TikTok will continue showing ads after you clear this information. However, this setting can reduce the amount of outside activity available to target your account.

Cut TikTok off from your contact list

TikTok can use synced contacts to recommend accounts. It can also draw connections through Facebook. Those features could expose a pseudonymous account to people you know offline.

Go to:

Profile > Menu ☰ > Settings and privacy > Contacts and location

Turn off all syncing options.

You can also delete some of your location data here, too. Make sure that under Location Services you select “Never” and “Delete certain location data”.

Make your lurking less public

A private TikTok account lets you approve followers and restrict who can watch your posts.

Go to:

Profile > Menu ☰ > Settings and privacy > Private account (it’s under Visibility)

Your username and nickname may remain visible. The same applies to your profile photo, so avoid identifying details if you want to separate the account from your offline identity.

Keep other people out of your account

Anyone who accesses your account could inspect your messages and saved content. They may also see viewing activity tied to your profile.

TikTok’s Security Checkup brings its main login protections together:

Profile > Menu ☰ > Settings and privacy > Security & permissions > Security checkup

This will lead you to a window that gives you access to two-factor authentication settings (phone, email, passkey, so on), as well as shows you your devices connected to your account and your security activity. If you see a green checkmark by the latter, you’re golden.

Ask TikTok what it knows

TikTok lets you request a copy of the information connected to your account.

Go to:

Profile > Menu ☰ > Settings and privacy > Account > Download your data

The resulting file will contain account activity, interaction records and your current privacy settings. Reviewing it can give you a clearer sense of how much of your TikTok use has been recorded.

You can also open Activity center to review visible watch and search history. Removing entries from these menus cleans up what you can see inside the account.

Author Details

Thomas Kent

About the Author

Thomas Kent is a multi-disciplined reporter with over a decade of experience covering online platforms, digital trends, and consumer-facing tech. Tom focuses on digital privacy, data tracking, and user behavior, with a particular interest in how cookies, online surveillance, and platform design shape the modern internet experience. His reporting takes a research-driven, news-focused approach, translating complex technical topics into clear, accessible insights.