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TikTok requests access to devices on local network

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Re: TikTok requests access to devices on local network

#5
post #2

Perhaps there's something nefarious here, or perhaps it's just looking for a Chromecast or Apple TV?

I don't see chromecast or apple tv called out as a capability, and I'm not installing it to find out. I also don't really see the LAN access reasons there either. https://apps.apple.com/us/app/tiktok/id835599320

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ss.android...

Based on the things they do call out as permissions this app is scary.

Re: TikTok requests access to devices on local network

#7
Why does TikTok 'need' access to devices on your local network?

The intention from YouTube is obvious as they use it for Chromecast, but why does TikTok need this particular access? Have they disclosed this usage somewhere?

On top of that and continuing from [0], it seems that it is collecting even more things that you may not even know about [0]. Far worse than the other apps out there.

The purpose? The recommendation algorithm, of course. Otherwise, how else is it supposed to work?

To Downvoters: Lots of commenters here saying that TikTok does not support AirPlay or Chromecast. Since that can be ruled out, what is the intention of this permission and is it disclosed anywhere on why do they need such access?

I'm also assuming that you know why TikTok needs access to devices on your local network? Maybe you can elaborate on this?

[0] https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=28137000

Re: TikTok requests access to devices on local network

#8
post #4
post #2

Perhaps there's something nefarious here, or perhaps it's just looking for a Chromecast or Apple TV?

it would be a little too obvious if this is done for nefarious reasons by TikTok developers themselves.

Why too obvious? 99% of people don't pay attention to this stuff. Look at what Facebook has been doing to users for years and years before being caught and blaming it on a bug or becoming way to familiar to Britney's lyrics in "Oops, I did it again."

Re: TikTok requests access to devices on local network

#9
post #3
post #2

Perhaps there's something nefarious here, or perhaps it's just looking for a Chromecast or Apple TV?

Assuming this is iOS doesn't the native screen sharing capability handle that?

Not chromecast.

My charitable guess is they're adding support for chromecasting behind feature flags/AB testing, but don't yet have it correctly enabled/disabled. There was a lot of uproar over instagram immediately using the microphone/camera constantly, when they actually just always had the API initialized to make swiping to the camera snappier.

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