Despite being banned in the United States due to data security concerns, TikTok is updating its security measures for American users through new partnerships with cybersecurity companies. HaystackID and OnDefend To monitor safety and data protection measures.
According to TikTok, these new contractors will act as “independent security inspectors.” TikTok US Data Security Inc. (USDS) is a group formed as part of “Project Texas,” a broader $1 billion effort designed to meet the requirements of U.S. regulators.
As the TikTok description states:
“USDS controls access to TikTok’s protected U.S. user data, content recommendations, and moderation systems in the secure Oracle Cloud. This structure provides increased focus and governance for TikTok’s U.S. operations, including data protection policies and content assurance protocols, to help keep U.S. users and their data safe and ensure users have an authentic experience on TikTok. Expanding on this established focus: Haystack ID and On Defend, Additional Support Mandiant Consulting“USDS will serve as the ISI for the USDS. This collaboration is designed to ensure the security and integrity of the TikTok app, its source code, user information, and the U.S. platform as a whole, and underscores USDS’ commitment to meeting rigorous cybersecurity standards.”
According to TikTok, the goal of this project is to Identifying potential security risks to U.S. users through technical security testing and validation of the TikTok US Platform.
Perhaps this will help make the app more attractive to US regulators and senators, but in reality it seems like it’s a bit too late, as the US Senate has already passed a bill to force TikTok into US ownership or ban it in the US if it refuses.
Other US-owned platforms would not have to go to such lengths to ensure the security of data, and because TikTok is Chinese-owned and may have ties to the Chinese Communist Party, it only needs to take these extra steps to reassure US authorities.
But they’re already not convinced. At that point, the app’s fate is sealed. But if TikTok can overturn the bill — or, say, if Donald Trump is reelected as president — the selling pressure could be thwarted before it even gets going.
If that were to happen, this might become a more important consideration, but for now it seems like a bit of an afterthought, part of a project that has already failed to gain support from decision makers in Washington.
Still, independent validation of TikTok’s data security processes is a positive outcome for U.S. users, though it remains to be seen whether that will last for seven months or longer.
