Is the CapCut App Safe to Use?

Recently, you might've stumbled across CapCut, an app trending in the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store. It's easy to get influenced by the popularity of a trendy app, but should you install that app just because it generated a buzz across the world?

You need to learn more about privacy and security features before installing any app, even ones that are trending. So is CapCut safe to download? Can you trust it with your personal information? And where is that data actually stored?

What Is CapCut?

CapCut is a free video editing app available for both Android and iOS.

It offers several useful editing features that lets you edit videos on your smartphone to share on platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and others.

However, there are plenty of other video editing mobile apps, so why is this particularly more popular?

CapCut as a video editor is not exactly unique, but it is easy to use and includes a big music library with exclusive copyrighted songs that you can use for your videos.

It does not display any advertisements, which many users will consider a good thing.

Who Created CapCut?

CapCut is a product of ByteDance—which is the parent company of TikTok.

It is a Chinese app; hence, it was originally available only for the Chinese audience back in 2019 under the name Jianying.

ByteDance made it available to the rest of the world as CapCut in 2020. And, in 2021, it successfully made its way to the top charts of App Store and the Google Play Store.

Considering it has been developed by the same company behind TikTok, there are obvious privacy concerns. In case you didn't know, many consider TikTok a danger to your security.

What Data Does CapCut Collect About You?

You might be surprised to hear what data apps collect about you. For instance, TikTok's Privacy Policy allows it to collect biometrics data about its users. Most will have simply overlooked that section because few really pay attention to terms and conditions.

That's why you need to be aware of what data CapCut collects when you install and use it on your device.

As per Apple's App Store page, the app collects the following data:

CapCut collects identifiers like how you use your device, IP address, connection, device manufacturer information, and more. It can further store contact information, diagnostic information, and even user content. These can all be linked directly to you.

Ideally, a video editor app does not need personal information to function. But, in this case, CapCut video editor does collect a significant amount of data about you.

If you are comfortable with sharing that amount of data, you may continue to use it; otherwise, this should raise some eyebrows.

For comparison, you can check the InShot video editor—another popular video editor for iPhones but which uses minimal data.

Though identifiers are collected, they're not linked directly to you through diagnostics or usage data.

Things to Keep in Mind Before Using CapCut

CapCut is not a malicious app but does collect your personal data.

However, there are a few privacy pointers that you need to know:

Your data may be stored inside or outside your own country.
Data collected through CapCut can be shared across all other services owned by ByteDance; that includes TikTok.
Personal data can be shared with various third-party services.

CapCut maintains that information is collected "to improve, develop and administer [services]. We use your information to ensure your safety."

If you are curious, you can also look at CapCut's privacy policy for more details.

Should You Download CapCut?

There have been no security reports that makes CapCut a dangerous app to use on your smartphone right now.

If the idea of ByteDance collecting your data doesn't bother you, you can consider CapCut safe enough for now. But, if you don't want a video editor app to collect your personal data from your smartphone, it is best to avoid installing it and look for alternatives.