Leaders.com
  • Business
  • Leadership
  • Wealth
  • Master Classes
  • Business
    • Entrepreneurs
    • Executives
    • Marketing and Sales
    • Social Media
    • Innovation
    • Women in Business
  • Leadership
    • Personal Growth
    • Company Culture
    • Public Speaking
    • Productivity
    • Hiring
    • Social Issues
    • Leaders
  • Wealth
    • Investing
    • Cryptocurrency
    • Retirement
    • Venture Capital
    • Loans and Borrowing
    • Taxes
    • Markets
    • Real Estate
  • Master Classes
Social Media TikTok data

Despite TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew's claims during a Congressional hearing, sensitive user data may be stored on Chinese servers. (Photo by Nathan Posner/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

By Hannah Bryan Leaders Staff

Hannah Bryan

Hannah Bryan

News Writer

Hannah Bryan is a news writer for Leaders Media. Most recently she was a reporter for the Sanilac County News...

Full bio


Learn about our editorial policy

May 31, 2023

Where TikTok Actually Stores User Data

Despite its claims that U.S. user data is stored locally, new data reveals that TikTok does indeed store some American data on servers in China. 

Key Details

  • TikTok content creators’ personal information—like Social Security numbers and tax IDs—may not be as secure as the influencers thought.
  • New reports from Forbes indicate that TikTok has stored users’ personal financial information on servers in China where they are accessible to employees.
  • TikTok used tools and databases from its parent company ByteDance to pay its creators who earn money through the app. 
  • Similar tools from the Beijing-based parent company are used to pay vendors and small businesses who work alongside TikTok.
  • Records obtained by Forbes indicate that sensitive financial and personal information from these third parties is stored in China, leading some to ask how much access China-based employees have to this information. 

Why it’s news

TikTok has been under fire from U.S. lawmakers as many question the privacy and security of the video-sharing social-media app. Earlier this year, TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew said in a testimony before Congress that U.S. user data was stored on users outside of China. 

“American data has always been stored in Virginia and Singapore in the past, and access of this is on an as-required basis by our engineers globally,” Chew said while under oath during a committee hearing. 

In response to Forbes findings, TikTok spokesman Alex Haurek says, “We remain confident in the accuracy of Shou’s testimony.” Neither company has responded to questions about how accessible U.S. tax information is to China-based employees.

After pressure from U.S. lawmakers, TikTok announced Project Texas—a plan to ensure all U.S. user data was stored on Oracle servers in Texas. This plan had been central to TikTok’s negotiations with the Biden administration. TikTok representatives offered this alternative data-storage plan to keep the app in the U.S. Some lawmakers have called for it to be banned in the U.S. outright. Many states and the U.S. federal government have banned the app on government devices.

However, FBI Director Christopher Wray and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen spoke out against the popular social-media app last year. Since then, the Biden administration has taken a more aggressive approach, insisting that TikTok separate from ByteDance or face a potential nationwide ban. 

Home / News / Where TikTok Actually Stores User Data
Share
FacebookTweetEmailLinkedIn

Related Stories

61% Of Americans Are Living Paycheck-To-Paycheck 

by Tyler Hummel Leaders Staff
Markets

Sep 8, 2023

Nearly two-thirds of Americans are feeling pinched by inflation. 

Key Details

  • LendingClub’s newest research shows that 61% of adults lived paycheck-to-paycheck in July 2023, increasing from 59% in July 2022. 
  • Even with inflation decreasing from 8.5% to 3.2% in 12 months, consumers still struggle to get by.  
  • A portion of this is attributed to irresponsible spending, with 21% of survey respondents saying nonessential spending is responsible for their financial issues. 
  • Low-income consumers—making less than $50,000 per year—were among the hardest hit by tightening wallets, Fortune reports. 
  • Bankrate’s Annual Emergency Fund Report earlier this year found that 57% of Americans cannot afford a $1,000 emergency. 

Go deeper

FacebookTweetEmailLinkedIn

Google Cracks Down On A.I. Election Ads

by Tyler Hummel Leaders Staff
Tech

Sep 7, 2023

Political campaigns using artificial intelligence (AI) generated content must disclose this information in Google and YouTube content. 

Key Details

  • Google has revealed a new disclosure policy that will force election advertisers to label AI content distinctly from real content. 
  • As of mid-November, generative AI content must receive a label to make it clearly identifiable to avoid spreading election misinformation. 
  • Google’s digital ad business joins companies like Meta Platform’s Facebook and Instagram in cracking down on deep fakes and spreading misinformation. 

Go deeper

FacebookTweetEmailLinkedIn

Vivek Ramaswamy’s Anti-ESG Firm Is Worth $1 Billion 

by Tyler Hummel Leaders Staff
Environment

Sep 7, 2023

The third most popular GOP presidential candidate has built his name fighting “wokeness”—and that reputation is paying off for his asset management company. 

Key Details

  • Ohio-based Strive Asset Management is an anti-activism fund company that promises investors higher-quality returns and investments.  
  • It was partly founded by Peter Thiel and Bill Ackman to rival investors at environmental, social, and governance (ESG)-friendly firms. 
  • On Tuesday, the firm announced that its accumulated assets now exceed $1 billion, slightly more than a year after it launched in 2022. 
  • The company is also currently facing lawsuits from two former employees arguing that it mistreats staff and engages in securities violations.

Go deeper

FacebookTweetEmailLinkedIn
Investing

Sep 7, 2023

Bill Gates Makes a $96.6 Million Bud Light Bet

by Tyler Hummel Leaders Staff
Cryptocurrency

Sep 6, 2023

Cathie Wood Bets Bullish On Big Tech 

by Tyler Hummel Leaders Staff
Some U.S. companies are finding it easier to hire help, after a rough few years
Hiring

Sep 6, 2023

Promotions Can Increase the Number Of Employees Quitting 

by Tyler Hummel Leaders Staff

Recent Articles

Business

Sep 18, 2023

25 Recession-Proof Jobs That Keep People From Getting Laid Off at Work

Learn what the safest jobs are during an economic downturn

Leadership

Sep 14, 2023

Maladaptive Daydreaming Signs + 4 Ways to Manage Them

Maladaptive daydreaming involves daydreams that interfere with daily functioning

Hiring

Sep 13, 2023

40 Smart Questions to Ask at the End of an Interview to Get Hired

Impress hiring managers with these thoughtful questions

  • Business
  • Leadership
  • Wealth
Join the Leaders Community

Get exclusive tools and resources you need to grow as a leader and scale a purpose-driven business.

Subscribing indicates your consent to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy

Leaders.com
  • Privacy Policy
  • About
  • Careers
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms
  • Disclosures
  • Editorial Policy
  • Member Login

© 2023 Leaders.com - All rights reserved.

Search Leaders.com