What can I do about this clause?

{'method': 'IN_APP', 'recipient': "Device Settings > Apps > TikTok > Permissions > Location: set to 'Deny'", 'difficulty': 'EASY', 'action_type': 'DELETE_DATA', 'instructions': 'On your smartphone, go to Settings, find the TikTok app under Apps or Application Manager, tap Permissions, and set Location to Deny or Only While Using. This prevents TikTok from accessing your GPS data.', 'deadline_days': None, 'deadline_hours': None}

Which regulatory agencies enforce this type of clause?

{'agency': 'FTC', 'reason': 'Collection of precise geolocation and battery status data for device fingerprinting without adequate consent disclosure may violate FTC Act Section 5 and COPPA for minor users.', 'complaint_url': 'https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/'}, {'agency': 'State_AG', 'reason': "California's CPRA requires opt-in consent for precise geolocation data collection — violations are enforceable by the California AG and CPPA.", 'complaint_url': 'https://www.naag.org/find-my-ag/'}

What is the severity of this clause?

ConductAtlas classifies this Geolocation and Battery Status Data Collection clause as high severity. Severity reflects the magnitude of rights affected, the breadth of users impacted, and the degree of discretion the platform retains.

Geolocation and Battery Status Data Collection — TikTok

What it is

apiName: getCurrentPosition, apiObj: navigator.geolocation, apiType: method, sampleRate: 1, stackRate: 1 ... apiName: watchPosition, apiObj: navigator.geolocation, apiType: method, sampleRate: 1, stackRate: 1 ... apiName: getBattery, apiObj: navigator, apiType: method, sampleRate: 0.00005

Why it matters

Precise GPS location is among the most sensitive personal data under GDPR and US privacy law. Battery status data can be used for device fingerprinting to track users across sessions even without cookies. The combination is particularly invasive.

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

On your smartphone, go to Settings, find the TikTok app under Apps or Application Manager, tap Permissions, and set Location to Deny or Only While Using. This prevents TikTok from accessing your GPS data.

Applicable agencies

FTC

Collection of precise geolocation and battery status data for device fingerprinting without adequate consent disclosure may violate FTC Act Section 5 and COPPA for minor users.
File a complaint →
State AG

California's CPRA requires opt-in consent for precise geolocation data collection — violations are enforceable by the California AG and CPPA.
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-002464

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-002464
Captured: 2026-04-03 08:45:47 UTC | SHA-256: b284b4e910ea0436…
URL: https://conductatlas.com/platform/tiktok/tiktok-community-guidelines/geolocation-and-battery-status-data-collection/
Accessed: April 21, 2026

Classification

Severity

High

Geolocation and Battery Status Data Collection