In a recent development, TikTok has attributed a concerning prompt, which requested iPhone users to enter their phone’s passcodes, to a software bug. This issue, which initially stirred anxiety among users, was clarified by TikTok in a statement to PCMag.
“The iOS passcode prompt was a bug resulting from an update we’ve begun to introduce in the US in partnership with our US security partner. This issue impacted a small number of people, we’ve resolved it, and people won’t see the prompt going forward,” explained a TikTok spokesperson. They emphasized that neither TikTok nor its US security partner had the ability to collect or access users’ iOS passcodes.
The prompt came to light through numerous reports on Reddit, with users expressing concerns about their privacy. A user, InspiringLizard, shared their experience on the TikTok Help subreddit, stating, “My TikTok app randomly started asking for my iPhone passcode when I go to open the app. I can tap cancel at the bottom and it still opens up to my FYP. What do I do about this? I’m kind of worried about it.” This issue was also echoed by other users who faced similar prompts.
Some Reddit users humorously speculated that the prompt might be an attempt by China to gather information, referencing TikTok’s ownership by China-based Bytedance. However, TikTok has reassured that this was a mere error and has confirmed that the alerts should no longer appear on iPhone devices. It’s noteworthy that Android users were not affected by this bug.
This incident occurs amidst a wave of iPhone thefts and concerns over app security. TikTok itself supports passkeys, allowing users to log into their accounts via iCloud with Face ID or Touch ID, but asking for the phone’s passcode is unusual for apps. To counteract related security issues, Apple is reportedly introducing a “Stolen Device Protection” setting in the upcoming iOS 17.3 update.
