Malicious code has been discovered on TikTok, compromising the official accounts of various celebrities and brands, including CNN, Paris Hilton, and Sony. The malware is spread through direct messages within the app and does not require any action from users to be activated. TikTok spokesperson Alex Haurek stated that the security team is aware of the exploit and has taken measures to prevent it from happening again, working with affected account owners to restore access.
Haurek mentioned that the number of compromised accounts is small, but did not disclose a specific number or details on how TikTok is safeguarding other exposed accounts. There is uncertainty about the total number of accounts affected by the hack and whether the hackers are still actively compromising accounts. Despite requests for comment, Paris Hilton, CNN, and Sony did not respond.
TikTok has experienced multiple hacks in the past, with as many as 700,000 accounts in Turkey compromised due to insecure SMS channels for two-factor authentication in 2023. In 2022, a vulnerability in the app allowed hackers to take over accounts with a single click when users clicked on a malicious link. CNN’s TikTok account was reportedly hacked recently, prompting the network to work with TikTok on additional cybersecurity measures.
Lawmakers have raised concerns about TikTok’s security and privacy practices, fearing that the Chinese government could use the app to spy on Americans or influence the messages they see. This led to a law in April requiring ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company, to divest from the app or face a ban in the United States. TikTok and ByteDance have contested the law in court.
The situation with TikTok’s security breaches continues to develop, with ongoing efforts to address the recent hacks and prevent further compromises of user accounts. It remains to be seen how TikTok will strengthen its security measures and protect its users from future malicious attacks. The company’s response to these incidents will be closely monitored as the story unfolds.
