Sustainable Substitutes for TikTok

A short video sharing platform with opaque, manipulative algorithms and addictive design.

Reasons to avoid TikTok

Avoid TikTok due to its invasive data collection, which harvests user location, browsing habits, and biometric data, often without clear consent.

The platform’s opaque algorithms and ties to ByteDance raise concerns over data misuse, misinformation and foreign surveillance. Its addictive design and lack of transparency further undermine user trust and digital well-being.

Go with a federated, open-source alternative.

Ethical and Sustainable TikTok Alternatives

Loops

Loops is an open-source short-form video platform tuned by the Fediverse.

Loops offers short-form videos without ads.
Following the principles of the Fediverse, Loops is decentralised with multiple instances around the globe.
Loops does not track users for ads or data mining.
Loops is fully open-source, everyone can host their own instances.
Loops supports open data standards and protocols like Activity Pub, enabling seamless communication with other federated platforms.
Loops is free to use, with no subscription or hidden costs
Website

The 4 main issues with TikTok

Big Tech - Big Tech companies do not nourish people and planet. This is especially true in times of political tension.

ByteDance is one of the largest tech companies, contributing to market monopolisation and raising concerns about ties to the Chinese government. Source: Human Rights Watch: The Problem with TikTok's Claim of Independence from Beijing (2023)

Privacy Concerns - User data is likely to be stored and used against users' best interest.

TikTok has significant privacy concerns, including data mining and lack of user control.Sources: Wired: TikTok Is Now Collecting Even More Data About Its Users. Here Are the 3 Biggest Changes (2026)Wired: It’s Time to Get Real About TikTok’s Risks (2022)

Lack of Transparency - Opacity in operations, data handling, or supply chains, making it difficult for users to understand practices.

ByteDance lacks transparency in its data collection and usage practices.Sources: Heise: DSA: EU Commission launches investigation into TikTok (2026)Ars Technica: TikTok hit with €345 million fine over privacy settings for children (2023)

Misinformation / Manipulation - Spread of false or misleading information, often through algorithmic amplification, which can harm public discourse and trust.

TikTok’s algorithm amplifies misinformation, often without sufficient fact-checking or transparency, posing risks to public discourse.Sources: The Verge: TikTok removed more than 300,000 videos for election misinformation (2021)404 Media: Inside the World of TikTok Spammers and the AI Tools That Enable Them (2024)