Reddit CEO Calls TikTok "Fundamentally Parasitic," "Spyware"

Reddit CEO and co-founder Steve Huffman took aim at TikTok at the Social 2030 venture capitalist conference on Wednesday. Despite being one of the most popular social media apps in the world, Huffman called TikTok "fundamentally parasitic" and "spyware."

Huffman appeared on stage at the event as part of a panel discussion with former public policy executive Elliot Schrage and former Facebook vice president of Product Sam Lessin. During their conversation, Huffman got candid with his thoughts on the app's security and privacy features.

“Maybe I’m going to regret this, but I can’t even get to that level of thinking with them,” Huffman said. “Because I look at that app as so fundamentally parasitic, that it’s always listening, the fingerprinting technology they use is truly terrifying, and I could not bring myself to install an app like that on my phone.”

“I actively tell people, 'Don’t install that spyware on your phone.'”

Speaking to TechCrunch, a spokesperson for TikTok took issue with Huffman's critiques.

"These are baseless accusations made without a shred of evidence," they said.

According to TechCrunch, Huffman also took issue with how TikTok tracked user activity on the app. TikTok has long been scrutinized for its security, privacy and moderation policies. Earlier this year, the New York Times reported that vulnerability within the application could allow hackers to "manipulate user data and reveal personal information." In 2019, some accused TikTok of silencing criticism of the Chinese government. TikTok is owned by the Chinese company Byte Dance.

Despite concerns, in June 2019, CNN reported that TikTok has amassed more than 1 billion active users around the world.