A Financial Times reporter, Christina Criddle, found herself at the center of a troubling investigation tied to ByteDance, the owner of the social media platform TikTok. Reports indicate that Criddle’s activity was monitored through her cat’s TikTok account, Buffy, a detail first brought to light by Gizmodo. The episode raises serious questions about data handling and internal oversight within the company. (Gizmodo)
According to the coverage, ByteDance published pieces detailing how TikTok collects user data in the United States and the company’s connections to government interests. Shortly after, four ByteDance employees began following the journalist while using Buffy, Criddle’s cat account, and reportedly reviewed account authorization logs to map Criddle’s IP addresses. The apparent aim appeared to be to determine whether Criddle had access to any internal data leaks, or to establish patterns in her information activity. (Gizmodo)
The journalist later learned that she was being followed by one of the TikTok employees, a development she described as deeply traumatic. In response, Criddle indicated she would pause posting on Buffy and reassess the channel’s use. ByteDance stated that the involved employees were dismissed but did not explain how Buffy’s account was linked to Christina Criddle, leaving questions about verification and oversight unresolved. (Gizmodo)
Context for readers: this incident is part of broader discussions about corporate data practices, user privacy, and how tech firms monitor or interact with public-facing reporting. The reporting on this topic has prompted ongoing debate about the boundaries between corporate security measures and journalists’ safety, especially when cross-border investigations and multinational platforms are involved. (Gizmodo)
Previously, discussions in other outlets highlighted concerns about the sale and distribution of classified materials via messaging networks, underscoring the wider conversation about information governance and transparency in government-related data. The overall takeaway emphasizes vigilance around data access, awareness of surveillance techniques, and the responsibility of large tech firms to uphold clear, ethical standards in handling user information. (Gizmodo)