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FACT BRIEF

Can TikTok track a user’s location?

By Tom Kertscher
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YES

TikTok, the Chinese-owned video-sharing platform, collects location information on its users, which now total over one billion.

TikTok says it collects the data “based on your device or network information, such as SIM card and IP address.” It also uses GPS data from a user’s device if the user enables Location Services.

The data are at least 1.16 square miles from your actual location, according to TikTok. It says it gathers the data to show users videos that are popular in their area and more relevant ads.

Democratic Gov. of Wisconsin Tony Evers recently banned TikTok on state-issued devices over cybersecurity concerns shared by the FBI and other federal agencies, joining 23 other states.

U.S. Rep. Mike Gallagher, a Republican representing Wisconsin's 8th Congressional district, introduced legislation to ban TikTok from the U.S. in December.

This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.
Sources
TikTok Thanks a billion!
TikTok Location information on TikTok
Governor Tony Evers Gov. Evers Signs Executive Order Banning TikTok, Other Technologies from State-Issued Devices
AP News EXPLAINER: List of states banning TikTok grows
Congressman Mike Gallagher Gallagher, Rubio Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Ban TikTok
US Congress S.5245 - ANTI-SOCIAL CCP Act117th Congress (2021-2022)
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Fact briefs are short, credibly sourced summaries that offer “yes/no” answers in response to claims found online. They rely on publicly available, often primary source data and documents. Fact briefs are created by contributors to Gigafact —a nonprofit project looking to expand participation in fact-checking and protect the democratic process. See all fact briefs here.