TikTokers change their account settings after fears of doxxing from “dangerous feature”

TikTokers are actively adjusting their account settings and voicing serious privacy concerns after the platform rolled out a new “Local Feed” feature. According to Daily Dot, this addition shows videos from around a user’s specific area. It has reignited fears about doxxing and personal information exposure, especially after the company began collecting “precise location information” from users who agreed to it back in January.

This recent move by TikTok, along with censorship concerns, has some users contemplating deleting their accounts that boast hundreds of thousands of followers, despite the platform’s new ownership trying to reassure everyone. It’s a tricky situation for sure when your digital real estate feels compromised.

So, how does this “Local Feed” actually work? The TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC officially announced the new tab last Wednesday, touting it as a way to “help you discover and connect with content, businesses, and services wherever you are.” The company stated that posts appearing in this Local Feed are shown to people based on their location, the content’s topic, and when it was posted. This is meant to make it easier to find out what’s happening nearby.

It would be great for local businesses

The new tab isn’t available to TikTokers under 18, those with private accounts, or users who have their post privacy set to “Friends” or “Only You.” The company has also emphasized that sharing local location data with the app is completely opt-in, meaning it’s set to “off” by default. This was even confirmed for users in both the U.S. and the U.K. last month. Despite these assurances, the mere idea of the  Local Feed has really freaked out some TikTokers. 

One user, @CherriFireLive, called it “the most dangerous feature I’ve ever seen,” stating, “I don’t want anyone to know what city I live in.” Later, they added, “My TikTok account is now private. If this feature isn’t changed soon, my account will be deleted as well. I was so close to 100k followers, so it’ll be really sad to leave.” 

The confusion over whether users can truly opt out of this feature is spreading across social media. While some users are trying to reassure others that the app won’t put your content in the Local Feed unless you specifically opt in, others are claiming they’ve found their videos there regardless. 

@gloomy_skyevt, echoed this concern, claiming that TikTok uses IP addresses to determine location, meaning the app might still place you in the “local” tab even if you’ve tried to opt out of location sharing. “So the reason TikTok’s local tab is so accurate despite not giving location is because they are using IP addresses.” 

Regardless of who’s exactly right about the opt-in mechanics, it’s clear that a lot of people are panning this new feature, and it’s causing a ton of anxiety for TikTok users. It’s definitely a situation where more clarity from TikTok would go a long way in calming its user base.