TikTok app asks for iPhone passwords from certain users
OAN’s Brooke Mallory
1:19 PM – Thursday, December 28, 2023
Many social media users on TikTok are now perplexed as to why the popular video app is purportedly requesting that they enter their iPhone passcode in order to watch content.
“TikTok itself doesn’t explicitly state the exact cause,” according to an article from industry expert publication Dataconomy.
TikTok has also been exposed in the past for spying on a number of journalists from major networks, according to reports.
The site Dexerto highlighted the extremely concerning problem, which was reportedly brought to the public’s attention for the first time in late November. Additionally, even more users raised the alarm in December after experiencing the request themselves.
Apple also issued two critical security patches for iPhone and other product customers around this same time frame.
Some users have claimed that the more recent iOS update apparently “fixed an issue that gave access to private user information.”
However, none of the four explanations provided by Dataconomy regarding why TikTok is requesting this personal security information are particularly comforting.
The site suggested that the required passcode could be a “temporary security measure requiring passcode entry to address certain vulnerabilities or privacy concerns.” It may also be tied to an app update, glitch or enabling the content filter known as ‘restricted mode.’”
As a content filter, “restricted mode” may need a password in order to later confirm a user’s age, according to Dataconomy.
Security experts caution that sharing your password is almost always a terrible idea, especially in these situations, due to the obvious security hazards and lack of ease in which phishing attempts could occur or prove successful.
In this instance, nevertheless, some users have discovered appropriate solutions.
In a Reddit post, TikTok users who were asked for their passwords said that the problem went away as soon as they “updated their app to version 32.5.0.”
“Some users have reported bypassing the passcode prompt by selecting ‘cancel,’ indicating that this might indeed be a bug rather than an intentional feature,” according to Dataconomy.
The alarming information was released soon after Senator John Fetterman (D-Pa.) accused TikTok of being the reason for the “warped” viewpoints of many young Americans regarding the ongoing situation in Israel and Gaza.
TikTok was also fined $368 million by European officials in September of last year for violating children’s privacy.
Christopher Wray, the director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), alerted Congress in late 2022 about “national security concerns” pertaining to the Chinese-owned TikTok.
“They include the possibility that the Chinese government could use it to control data collection on millions of users, or control the recommendation algorithm which could be used for influence operations if they so choose, or to control software on millions of devices,” Wray warned.
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Why are TikTok users being prompted to enter their iPhone passcode before watching content on the platform?
Why Is TikTok Asking for iPhone Passcodes?
In recent days, many TikTok users have been perplexed by a strange request from the popular video app. They have reported being prompted to enter their iPhone passcode before being able to watch content on the platform. This has raised concerns among social media users who are questioning the reasons behind this request.
TikTok has not provided a clear explanation for this phenomenon. According to an article from industry expert publication Dataconomy, the app itself does not explicitly state the exact cause for the passcode requirement.
Furthermore, TikTok has been previously exposed for spying on journalists from major networks, according to reports. In late November, the site Dexerto brought this concerning problem to the public’s attention. Since then, more users have raised alarm about experiencing the passcode request themselves.
Adding to the confusion, Apple issued two critical security patches for iPhone and other product customers around the same time frame. Some users claim that the more recent iOS update fixed an issue related to access to private user information.
Twitter users have also voiced their frustrations about the passcode request on TikTok. While some have questioned the reasons behind it, others have found potential solutions. A Reddit post revealed that updating the app to version 32.5.0 resolved the issue for some users. Dataconomy suggests that the passcode prompt might be a bug rather than an intentional feature.
However, none of the explanations provided so far are particularly comforting. Dataconomy suggests that the passcode requirement could be a temporary security measure addressing vulnerabilities or privacy concerns. It may also be related to an app update, glitch, or the enabling of a content filter known as ’restricted mode.’
Security experts caution against sharing passwords, especially in situations like this. There are significant security risks and the possibility of phishing attempts. It is important for users to exercise caution and prioritize their digital safety.
These concerns about TikTok’s actions follow a series of controversies surrounding the app. Senator John Fetterman accused TikTok of influencing the perspectives of young Americans on the situation in Israel and Gaza. Last year, European officials fined the app $368 million for violating children’s privacy. The director of the FBI, Christopher Wray, has also warned about national security concerns related to the Chinese-owned platform.
In conclusion, TikTok’s request for iPhone passcodes has caused confusion and raised concerns among its users. As the app continues to face scrutiny for privacy and security issues, it is important for users to remain vigilant and take steps to protect their personal information.
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