What are the new locks coming to Tiktok?

TechCrunch learned, and the company confirmed, that TikTok began blocking app store links in creator bios. The blocking, which has a significant impact on cost-per-install (CPI) campaign pricing between creators and brands, also extends to third-party link bios such as Linktree.

The change was first noticed by Sendit founder David Tesler, who commented on Twitter that he and others tested the functionality on several accounts and discovered that the links no longer worked to generate clicks on the App Store. Instead, when I clicked on the links, I saw an “unable to operate” message.

Tesler also noted that the only exception to the problem appeared to be accounts that had an advertising relationship with TikTok. While TikTok has not offered an official statement on this recent change, the company has confirmed that creators’ accounts will no longer be able to link to pages in the app store. However, they can link to websites as before.

First Tiktok blocks

As of now, only TikTok business accounts can link to App Store pages. There is no charge for this feature. in other words, businesses do not have to pay to add a link or agree to advertise on the platform to use this option. In addition, TikTok says it is launching a new “Download App” button for business accounts, and it is also not a promotional product.

The company believes this change will improve clarity for business and personal accounts by clarifying their roles. But there is also a clear incentive to funnel most of the advertising money that currently goes to creators through campaigns directly into TikTok’s coffers. Now, companies that want to drive TikTok users to their app’s App Store listing will likely want to promote the account with an ad-driven link.

In recent years, TikTok has had a growing influence on App Store listings, sometimes artificially boosting the actual popularity of certain apps as TikTok users rush to install the app as part of a marketing campaign. Those users don’t always stick around after the first install, but the rate of new downloads would push the app to the top for others to find. With this change, the number of TikTok-enabled installs in app stores may decrease, as creators will no longer be able to run the same type of campaigns.

Google and Apple block TikTok in their app stores

In the petition, which is part of recent investigations of TikTok by the U.S. Congress, a member of the U.S. Senate Intelligence Committee called TikTok “an unacceptable threat to the national security of the United States.” It also shows suspicions that the national government and more than half of the states have blocked the app on both official networks and devices.

The $100 billion creator economy and the accompanying jobs supply chain are facing a potentially huge upheaval as the Biden administration threatens to ban TikTok over national security concerns. The U.S. government has long feared that the popular app, owned by Beijing-based ByteDance, could be used by China to monitor and manipulate Americans. After three years of negotiations over a deal that would address those concerns, the Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S. has demanded that TikTok’s Chinese owner sell its stake in the platform or face a ban.

In the letter, reproduced by Forbes, Bennet addresses Apple and Google CEOs Tim Cook and Sundar Pichai and insists that the Chinese government could force TikTok or its parent company ByteDance to provide private information about the U.S. program. citizens by making use of its national security laws.

Security laws

Some of the laws Bennett said could force China-based companies to cooperate with government intelligence and could also allow the Chinese government to access company resources. ByteDance’s founder, Zhang Yiming, and current CEO, Shou Zi Chew, are Chinese and the company has offices in China.  He also cites concerns that TikTok could change or influence what U.S. users see on the app thanks to its algorithm, which could have serious consequences for U.S. democracy and foreign policy under its laws.

“We have to accept the real possibility that China could force TikTok, through ByteDance, to use its influence to promote the interests of the Chinese government, for example, by changing its algorithm to include U.S. content that undermines U.S. democracy. institutions” or silences China, Hong Kong, Taiwan or ethnic criticism of minority leadership.”

Bennett said. Although so far there is no evidence that TikTok has attempted to manipulate or spy on U.S. users, U.S. security experts have warned that it could be possible. That is why, in March, Shou Zi Chew will testify before a U.S. House of Representatives committee to explain what security measures the company is taking.

Does TikTok offer two-factor authentication?

Many social networks and services help users protect themselves from password theft. Two-factor authentication adds additional protection. For example, if 2FA is enabled, in addition to the password, the application also prompts for a one-time use code, which it sends by text message on demand.

TikTok does not offer such a configuration, only the option to log in with a verification code. In this case, TikTok will send you a one-time password by SMS. However, it is not two-factor authentication, because the code does not complete your password, but replaces it. Then, once you have the code, you can log in to your account without a password.

It’s not an ideal solution, because SMS codes are far from being the most reliable security solution, but TikTok’s method will save you if someone steals your password. Without this code, no one can access your account from an unknown device (one more thing: unlink TikTok from your phone number if you plan to change it). If you log in with Facebook or another social network, TikTok does not send anything because the application depends on other services. Therefore, make sure your Facebook account is properly protected.