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If you believe you can do anything on social media because your anonymity could protect you, think again. Law enforcement agencies can trace, track and identify people who use social media to harass, threaten or scam other users. Identifying a user is possible because all social media platforms collect user information, and social media networks will cooperate with the law enforcers once legal authorities issue a warrant. Law enforcement agencies can then connect the account in question with the owner's real identity.
If you're using Facebook or Tiktok, here are the things these social media giants know about you.
Tiktok
The moment you check Tiktok's website, it starts collecting information about you because of cookies and other trackers that it is using. Once you create an account, it could then collect data about your activities and preferences based on the videos that you will be watching.
Tiktok knows the device you're using, even the brand and model. It also knows what operating system you're using and the system language. Tiktok also knows your location and IP address, so it can trace what Telco you are using if you connect via data or what company you work for if you connect to Tiktok during office hours while using the company WiFi. Tiktok also records your search history, the content of your messages, the videos you watched, and how long you have been watching. The social media giant also collects device identifiers to follow your interactions with its advertisers.
When you create a Tiktok account, the platform will assign you a device ID and user ID Tiktok uses this information to identify you when using other devices to make your experience seamless.
All the above information would show that you could be identified when you use Tiktok to harass, threaten, or scam other users. When someone files a complaint against you, and the authorities see that the complaint has merits, they will request additional information. Tiktok will cooperate with law enforcement agencies after all relevant legal processes are completed.
"When there is a threat to public safety, or an account is used to promote or glorify off-platform violence, we may suspend or ban the account. When warranted, we will report threats to relevant legal authorities. To effectively protect our community, we may consider the information available on other platforms and offline to identify violent and extremist individuals and organizations on our platform." — Tiktok Community Standard
Facebook collects information and content you provide, including your basic information when you sign up for an account, create or share content, and message or communicate with others. Facebook also collects information about the device you're using to access its platform. Facebook obtains information from these devices, including the operating system, hardware/software version, and browser type. Facebook also knows about your behavior while using the social media platform, including whether a window is in the foreground or background and your mouse movements.
Facebook also collects data from the user's device settings. Facebook knows the information you receive through device settings that you turn on, such as access to your GPS location, camera, or photos. One important thing that could identify a user is the network connection that he is using. Facebook knows the name of your mobile operator or ISP, language, time zone, mobile phone number, IP address, connection speed, and, in some cases, information about other devices that are nearby or on the user's network.
Like Tiktok, all the information collected by Facebook can identify you. When someone files a complaint against you, and if the authorities think the complaint has merits, Facebook will cooperate with law enforcement agencies after all relevant legal processes are completed. Law enforcement agencies authorized to gather evidence in connection with an official investigation or investigate an emergency involving the danger of serious physical injury or death can request additional information from Facebook.
Remember, using the seemingly anonymous nature of social media to hide your identity does not guarantee that you will not be identified. Once subpoenaed, social media platforms will have no choice but to collaborate with the legal authorities and may share information about you.