TikTok is one of the most popular social media platforms for millennials, Gen Z’s, and Gen Alpha making it the third most downloaded app garnering up to 120 million downloads worldwide.
TikTok has revised its privacy settings, so here are some recommended settings to safeguard your account’s privacy and enhance your security on the platform.
Set Your TikTok Account to Private
Make your account private on TikTok so only approved followers can view and comment on your posts by toggling the Private Account option in Settings.
Profile > Settings and privacy > Privacy > Enable on Private account toggle
Profile > Settings and privacy > Privacy > Discoverability > Suggest Your Account to Others > Disable all the toggles provided
Avoid Syncing Your Contacts With Facebook Friends
To stop TikTok from syncing your contacts, go to Profile > Settings and privacy > Discoverability > Sync contacts and Facebook Friends and disable all toggles.
Turn off Ad Authorization
To keep your videos private while on TikTok, disable the ad authorization feature under Profile > Settings and privacy >Ad Authorization > Disable all the toggles.
Disable Video Downloads
To disable video downloads, navigate to Profile > Settings and privacy > Discoverability > Downloads > Disable the toggle
Select Who Can Comment on Your Videos
You can control who can comment on your videos—friends, followers, or no one—and set filters for all comments, spam, offensive remarks, or specific keywords under Profile > Settings and privacy > Discoverability > Comments > Select Comment filters
Select Who Can View Your Following List
You can decide to share your following list with everyone or keep it private, allowing only mutual friends to see it by navigating to: Profile > Settings and privacy > Discoverability > Following list
Select Who Can Duet or Stitch Your Videos
You can set who can duet or stitch your videos—Followers, Friends, or Only Me—by adjusting settings in Profile > Settings and privacy > Discoverability > Duet/Stitch
Select Who Can Watch Your Liked Videos
You can control who can watch your liked videos by selecting Followers or Only Me in Profile > Settings and privacy > Discoverability > Liked Videos
You Can Control Who Sends You Direct Messages
You can manage your direct message permissions by selecting Everyone, Friends, or No One under Profile > Settings and privacy > Discoverability > Direct messages
Use a Very Strong Password and Enable 2FA
Upgrade your password to a strong one with at least 12 characters, mixing numbers, symbols, and both uppercase and lowercase letters, avoiding dictionary words; consider using free password generators and then modifying the result for memorability.
Head to Profile > Settings and privacy > Account > Password
Additionally, TikTok allows you to enable SMS 2FA by adding your number for login verification, but for added security, you can also use an email for receiving verification codes.
Turn on Restricted Mode for Kids
Parents of TikTok users(minors) should activate Restricted Mode to prevent inappropriate content on their child’s For You page, securing the setting with a passcode.
Head to Profile > Settings and privacy > Content preferences > Restricted Mode
Activate Family Safety Features
As a parent, you can remotely access and manage your child’s TikTok account by pairing your accounts, allowing you to control their screen time, content, and privacy settings.
Go to Profile > Settings and privacy > Family Pairing
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