Is My TikTok Account Hacked?

If you’re anything like millions of other people across the globe, you have a TikTok account where you watch viral videos on your FYP. Since it transitioned away from its lip-syncing roots, TikTok has become one of the most popular apps of all time. However, there are still some privacy concerns about the platform. In fact, privacy attacks on users have been happening more frequently across the application. If you believe that your TikTok account is under attack by a hacker or someone attempting to access your profile, don’t worry. In this article, we’ll help you restore access to your account and answer the question: “Is my TikTok account hacked?”

TikTok Privacy Concerns

On the TikTok application, privacy risks are a notable cause for concern on the platform. In 2018, the app that became TikTok was purchased by a company in China. The app, which began as Musical.ly, became wildly successful thanks to its new owners. However, in 2019, the company that purchased Musical.ly came under fire for privacy rights violations. The US Federal Trade Commission fined the company, ByteDance, for collecting app data from users under 13 years of age. As a violation of the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act, TikTok paid $5.7 million. 

Although the app has made efforts to protect its user’s data, the TikTok app still has the ability to retain biometric data from its users like voice and faceprints. The app also collects other pieces of information, including: 

• Your device
• In-app messages 
• App search history 
• IP address and location 
• The videos you watched 
• How long you have watched these videos 

TikTok also gathers certain identifiers that oversee advertiser interaction. The app also “infers” identifying factors like age range, interests, and gender, based on data it obtains. TikTok gives this information to its advertisers and uses it to tailor your advertising experience on the app.

Is My TikTok Account Hacked?

You may be wondering, “how can you tell if my TikTok account is hacked?” If you believe that your TikTok account is under attack, there are a few signs to look out for. It’s necessary to identify these indicators before hackers are able to steal more of your information. Take a look at the following list of potential indications that your TikTok account is under attack.

• Your account name or nickname is different
• Videos appear or disappear on your profile without your consent
• Your password changes without your knowledge
• Messages you didn’t send are going out from your account

Taking a look at these signs, do any of them reflect your recent experience on TikTok? If so, there is a chance that your TikTok account may be on the receiving end of a hack. But don’t worry – there are steps that you can take to get it back.

What to Do if My TikTok Account is Hacked?

So, your TikTok account is the target of a hacking attack – what are your next steps? The first thing you should do is update your passwords on your other social profiles, including your email. If the login information you have on TikTok matches any other account you have, hackers can use your TikTok credentials to log into those accounts. Once you have done this, take a look at the following steps for what you should do if your TikTok account is hacked.

• Report the hack to TikTok immediately
• Update the password on your TikTok account
• Remove access to any suspicious devices
• Reset your password with your email or phone number

Recovering your social media profile information can be frustrating, especially if you monetize on TikTok. If you are a brand or a business operating on social media and relying on these profiles to generate interest in your company, it can be even more challenging. Luckily, the problem is solvable and it’s easy to protect yourself from similar instances in the future. How? 

1. Create a stronger password
2. Differentiate your login info
3. Never login to shared devices
4. Avoid suspicious applications
5. Don’t click on links with strange characters
6. Set up two-factor authentication on all of your accounts
7. Use a reliable and powerful VPN on all your devices

It’s more important than ever to ensure the safety of your TikTok and other social media accounts. With new and innovative ways to hack, attackers are constantly looking for their next victim. This is why it’s mandatory for you to protect your online information with the aforementioned safety tips. Although keeping yourself secure on the Internet can be a challenge, PrivadoVPN can help. 

Get More Online Privacy Today with PrivadoVPN

When you become the victim of a hack, your data is in danger. This is why it’s important to protect yourself before further attacks occur. This is where a VPN comes in. Using a VPN can help you protect your online activity and keep your information secure. All it takes is a few clicks and your connection is safe from prying eyes. Want to ensure that your TikTok and other social media accounts are safe? PrivadoVPN can help.

Sign up for unlimited access today and get all the monthly data you need to ensure your online privacy, plus the ability to create up to 10 active connections and unlimited devices. Take back control over your online experience today with PrivadoVPN.