tech
February 12, 2026
TikTok tracks you, even if you don't use the app: Here's how to stop it
TikTok doesn't just track what you do in the app. Tracking also happens on other sites, even if you've never opened an account. The company's new technical moves have further expanded this surveillance system.
TL;DR
- TikTok's updated tracking pixel collects user data from various websites, even if they don't have an account.
- The system is described as unusually invasive, with some sites sending health, fertility, or mental health information.
- TikTok trackers are present on approximately 5% of the world's most visited websites.
- Experts warn that such tracking can lead to price manipulation, political targeting, and data misuse.
- Users can reduce exposure by using privacy-focused browsers (Brave, DuckDuckGo, Firefox, Safari) or installing tracker-blocking extensions.
- Complete protection is not guaranteed, as companies can share data directly from their servers.
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