TikTok won't use end-to-end encryption, citing harm to users

"End-to-end encryption means only those involved in a conversation can read those messages. These other platforms argue this is critical for users' privacy as it means the companies and law enforcement are unable to see any of the content that users send."

"TikTok stated that end-to-end encryption allows for harm to users and sharing illegal content without the possibility to investigate it. TikTok instead uses standard encryption, which means certain authorized employees can access messages. This step might occur in cases such as a prompt from law enforcement officials."

TikTok stands apart from major social media platforms by not implementing end-to-end encryption (E2EE) for direct messages. While competitors like Meta, Apple, Google, Signal, and Snapchat use E2EE to ensure only conversation participants can read messages, TikTok employs standard encryption allowing authorized employees to access messages when needed. TikTok justifies this approach by arguing that end-to-end encryption enables harm to users and facilitates illegal content sharing without investigation capability. The platform's security practices have faced scrutiny due to its Chinese parent company ByteDance, though U.S. ownership recently transferred to an American subsidiary backed by figures like Oracle founder Larry Ellison.

Read at Fast Company