Hidden surveillance methods through TikTok and Reels

Many consider short videos on TikTok and Reels to be harmless entertainment. In reality, these platforms use hidden surveillance methods that only cybersecurity experts know about.

Every movement you make, every click and video view is recorded and analyzed. Algorithms study your habits, interests, and even emotional reactions to predict behavior and form the "perfect" content flow. You think you're just watching videos, but in reality, data about you is being collected constantly.

Additionally, apps can track geolocation, search history, microphone and camera usage, even when you're not actively recording. This data can be used not only for recommendations but also for targeted advertising, and sometimes for more hidden purposes, including marketing experiments or political research.

Particularly dangerous are third-party apps and "fake" versions of platforms that can gain access to your contacts, files, and personal data. Many users don't understand that by giving consent to standard permissions, they're opening the way to deep personal analytics.

How to protect yourself? Turn off access to microphone and geolocation, monitor app permissions, and periodically clear your activity history. Using official versions and paying close attention to privacy settings helps reduce the risk of surveillance.

In the end, TikTok and Reels are not just entertainment. Every video and like leaves a digital footprint that platforms carefully analyze. Don't let your habits become a tool for someone else's control.