Technology and Privacy

TikTok is launching a new 'Local' feed that will show users videos from nearby businesses, events and creators based on precise geolocation data collected from their devices, the company said Wednesday. The new tab, which will not appear for users under 18, those with private accounts, or people who restrict their audience to friends, is arriving weeks after TikTok quietly updated its privacy policy in January to say it may collect 'precise location information' when users enable location services. TikTok stressed that location sharing is voluntary, off by default, and only active when the app is in use, framing the move as consistent with other modern apps and saying it gives people more relevant local content while keeping them 'in control.' The rollout comes as U.S. lawmakers and regulators are already scrutinizing TikTok’s data practices and ownership; the app recently separated from China‑based ByteDance into a consortium that includes Oracle, Silver Lake and Abu Dhabi‑based MGX, though ByteDance still holds a 19.9% stake. Privacy advocates and some users, particularly on social media, have criticized the prospect of more granular tracking as 'invasive,' warning that location‑based feeds can be repurposed for profiling, targeted disinformation or law‑enforcement requests even when presented as a way to find restaurants and events.