TikTok US launches a local feed that leverages a user's exact location

Source: Engadget

Overview

TikTok US has launched a local feed that provides users with recommendations for nearby restaurants, shops, museums, and events. The feature leverages a user’s exact location, a capability now permitted by an updated terms‑of‑service agreement that changed the wording from “approximate locations” to precise locations.

The local feed is an opt‑in feature. It is turned off by default and can be enabled in the app’s settings. Even when disabled, TikTok may still collect location data.

How the Feed Works

• Prioritizes local businesses rather than showing content from neighbors or personal connections.
• Highlights nearby events, shopping suggestions, and restaurants to try.

Business Context

• Part of TikTok’s broader effort to attract small businesses as content creators and advertisers.
• According to TechCrunch, emphasizing small‑business usage could help the platform mitigate regulatory scrutiny.
• TikTok claims over 7.5 million U.S. businesses use the platform to reach customers, a figure sourced from an Oxford Economics report predating the recent investor deal.

Privacy Considerations

• Users must weigh the convenience of a dedicated local feed against the privacy risk of sharing precise location data.
• Oracle is a prominent investor in the new American TikTok, and founder Larry Ellison has remarked that “citizens will be on their best behavior” when constantly surveilled.

International Precedent

• A similar local‑feed concept has been tested in Europe since late last year, appearing in the United Kingdom, France, Italy, and Germany.

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