What does TikTok know about you?

Chinese social media site TikTok is collecting vast amounts of information on its 170 million American users, an analysis accepted by the US Supreme Court has shown.

Why does this matter?

Knowing the information TikTok is collecting will help inform the debate about the future of the social media site.

Congress has passed a law ordering TikTok's Chinese owners to sell it.

In response, the site began shutting down its US operations over the weekend.

President-elect Donald Trump has announced a plan to delay implementation of the law, allowing the site to remain open.

What you need to know

On Friday, the Supreme Court unanimously upheld Congress' right to force the sale of TikTok, based on national security concerns, foreign media wrote, according to Telegraph.

The court noted that TikTok's "data collection practices extend to age, phone number, precise location, internet address, device used, phone contacts, social media connections, the content of private messages sent through the app, and videos viewed."

The judges also referred to a Draft National Security Agreement, which noted that TikTok “collects user data, user content, behavioral data (including keystroke patterns and rhythms), and device and network data (including device contacts and calendars).

“If, for example, a user allows TikTok access to the user's phone contact list to connect with others on the platform, TikTok can access any data stored in the user's contact list, including names, contact information, contact photos, job titles, and notes,” the Supreme Court noted.

Its ruling says that the information TikTok collects can be used to track federal employees and blackmail them for certain details of their private lives.

In doing so, the court provided valuable insight into the information TikTok is collecting on its 170 million US users – data that could be used by the Chinese government.

The court emphasized that its written decision is based on the Justice Department's open evidence in court and not on classified information that the federal government has submitted to the court.

What do people say?

On Sunday, President-elect Donald Trump revealed his plan to save TikTok after the app was "found offline" on Saturday evening.

"I'm asking companies not to let TikTok stay 'in the dark'! I will be issuing an executive order on Monday to extend the time period before the ban goes into effect so we can make a deal to protect our national security."

TikTok meanwhile said it was restoring its US operations after shutting it down for several hours.

"In agreement with our service providers, TikTok is in the process of restoring service. We thank President Trump for the necessary assurance and clarity for our service providers that they will not face any penalties while providing TikTok to over 170 million Americans and allowing over 7 million small businesses to thrive," the statement said.

What happens next?

The future of TikTok is far from certain.

Trump will be inaugurated as President on Monday, which has allowed TikTok to "stay in business" in the US.

And Trump is reportedly looking to work out a deal in which the federal government would own 50 percent of the social media site. /Telegraph/