What can I do about this clause?

{'method': 'WEB_FORM', 'recipient': 'https://www.tiktok.com/legal/privacy-policy-us', 'difficulty': 'MODERATE', 'action_type': 'DELETE_DATA', 'instructions': "Visit TikTok's privacy policy page and submit a data deletion request. In-app, go to Settings & Privacy > Privacy > Personalisation and data > Download or delete your data.", 'deadline_days': None, 'deadline_hours': None}

Which regulatory agencies enforce this type of clause?

{'agency': 'FTC', 'reason': "TikTok's undisclosed sensor and clipboard monitoring on web pages may constitute unfair or deceptive data collection practices under FTC Act Section 5, and may violate COPPA for minor users.", 'complaint_url': 'https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/'}, {'agency': 'State_AG', 'reason': 'California residents may have CCPA/CPRA and CIPA claims for clipboard and sensor data collection without adequate notice or consent.', 'complaint_url': 'https://www.naag.org/find-my-ag/'}

What is the severity of this clause?

ConductAtlas classifies this Device Sensor & Clipboard Monitoring via JavaScript clause as high severity. Severity reflects the magnitude of rights affected, the breadth of users impacted, and the degree of discretion the platform retains.

Device Sensor & Clipboard Monitoring via JavaScript — TikTok

What it is

apiName: Accelerometer, apiType: constructor ... apiName: Gyroscope, apiType: constructor ... apiName: addEventListenerparamCondition: {0: devicemotion} ... apiName: addEventListenerparamCondition: {0: deviceorientation} ... apiName: read, apiObj: navigator.clipboard, apiType: method ... apiName: readText, apiObj: navigator.clipboard, apiType: method ... apiName: writeText, apiObj: navigator.clipboard, apiType: method ... apiName: getCu rrentPosition, apiObj: navigator.geolocation, apiType: method ... apiName: getBattery, apiObj: navigator, apiType: method

Why it matters

Most websites do not access physical device sensors or clipboard contents. TikTok doing so on its own policy pages — where users expect to read terms, not be monitored — represents a significant and unexpected expansion of data collection.

Consumer impact

TikTok's platform policy pages embed JavaScript instrumentation that actively monitors device sensors including clipboard content, geolocation, accelerometer, gyroscope, and battery status, meaning data collection occurs even when users are simply reading policy documents. This broad sensor monitoring, combined with TikTok's known data-sharing practices and ByteDance's ownership structure, creates meaningful privacy risk for all users including those in jurisdictions with strong data protection laws. You can limit TikTok's data access by revoking clipboard, location, and microphone permissions for the TikTok app in your device's settings.

What you can do

⚠️ These actions may provide transparency or partial mitigation but may not fully address the underlying issue. Effectiveness varies by jurisdiction and individual circumstances.

Delete Your Data

Visit TikTok's privacy policy page and submit a data deletion request. In-app, go to Settings & Privacy > Privacy > Personalisation and data > Download or delete your data.

Applicable agencies

FTC

TikTok's undisclosed sensor and clipboard monitoring on web pages may constitute unfair or deceptive data collection practices under FTC Act Section 5, and may violate COPPA for minor users.
File a complaint →
State AG

California residents may have CCPA/CPRA and CIPA claims for clipboard and sensor data collection without adequate notice or consent.
File a complaint →

Provision details

Document information

Document

TikTok Community Guidelines

Entity

TikTok

Document last updated

March 24, 2026

Tracking information

First tracked

April 3, 2026

Last verified

April 9, 2026

Record ID

CA-P-002460

Document ID

CA-D-00034

Evidence Provenance

Source URL

https://www.tiktok.com/community-guidelines/en/

Wayback Machine

View archived versions →

SHA-256

b284b4e910ea0436fae2982f81c60e65a11a5de7c9ed3db97b9131d136636bfb

Verified

✓ Snapshot stored ✓ Change verified

How to Cite

ConductAtlas Policy Archive
Entity: TikTok | Document: TikTok Community Guidelines | Record: CA-P-002460
Captured: 2026-04-03 08:45:47 UTC | SHA-256: b284b4e910ea0436…
URL: https://conductatlas.com/platform/tiktok/tiktok-community-guidelines/device-sensor-clipboard-monitoring-via-javascript/
Accessed: April 21, 2026

Classification

Severity

High

Device Sensor & Clipboard Monitoring via JavaScript