- TenTen allows you to send audio messages like a walkie-talkie with instant messages, even when your phone is locked.
- The app requires a prior invitation to receive messages, but many young people share their codes on social media, increasing the risks.
- Parents and authorities are deeply concerned about the privacy and safety of minors due to the ease of contact and the permissions requested by the app.
TenTen is an app that turns your mobile phone into a modern walkie-talkie, and its popularity has grown exponentially among young people in Europe. This has been accompanied by a great debate about security, privacy and the way minors use the application, Especially after several complaints from parents and the concern expressed by authorities in countries like France. Here we explain how TenTen works, why it's causing controversy, and what you should know if you or your children are going to use it.
What is TenTen and how does it work?
TenTen is an instant communication app focused on voice messaging, which brings back the walkie-talkie style but adapted to mobile phones. Its main attraction is the ability to send audio in real time, that play automatically on the recipient's device, even if the screen is locked. The immediacy and simplicity of this format has made me quickly connect with teenagers and young people.
The user experience is very direct: You just need to hold down a button, record the audio and send it to a contact.The recipient hears the message automatically, without having to unlock their phone or open the app. This feature facilitates spontaneous communication, but it has also raised questions about the consequences of receiving unexpected messages. Messages do not require prior action from the recipient, which can lead to awkward situations if the audio arrives at inappropriate times.
To get started with TenTen, the process is simple:
- Download the app from Google Play or the App Store.
- Sign up with email, Google account, or TikTok.
- Accept a series of permissions, including access to contacts, approximate location, microphone, camera, full network access, and keeping the device awake.
- Accept invitations from acquaintances to communicate via audio.
You cannot receive messages from any user: Only those you accept into your contact list can send you an audio message. But it's important to remember that many young people post their invitation codes on other platforms, which can open the door to strangers.
Why does TenTen worry parents and authorities so much?
The success of TenTen in countries like France has been so overwhelming that it has even forced the founders themselves to be accountable to public bodies.
TenTen's walkie-talkie format introduces several features that differentiate it from WhatsApp, Telegram, or other similar apps. Audio plays instantly, even with the screen off, and no interaction is required on the part of the recipient, beyond having previously accepted the invitation. This system, according to the spokesperson for the French Ministry of the Interior and various digital security organizations, significantly increases the risk of digital harassment, invasion of privacy and compromising situations for minorsParents and experts warn about the possibility of receiving messages from unknown adults, since Minors share their invitation codes publicly, especially on networks like TikTok.
French Minister Camille Chaiz has expressed concern about TenTen's collection of personal data, which may include:
- Name and surname.
- Phone number.
- Username and nicknames.
- Contact preferences.
- IP address and approximate location of the device.
TenTen's privacy policy is brief and, according to critics, is still under development. The creators state that:
- They do not store user messages.
- They can't listen to the messages.
- They do not sell the data to third parties.
Despite this, there are well-founded fears about the misuse of the application, given that Audio recordings can be used to harass or intrude on the privacy of others., and the fact that messages disappear if not listened to immediately can make it difficult to report inappropriate behavior.
TenTen, privacy and risks of responsible use
The debate about TenTen is not exclusive to this app. Any social network can become a problematic environment depending on how users use it.In the case of TenTen, the risks are heightened by the ease of access to minors through public codes and because the ephemeral format of voice messages makes it difficult to trace potential bullying behavior.
Digital coexistence experts recommend to families and educators inform, educate and supervise the use of these types of apps by minors. Some recommended guidelines include:
- Delay access to new social networks until the minor demonstrates that he or she has the necessary judgment and maturity (13 to 16 years as a minimum reference).
- Discuss clearly the importance of protecting personal data and the risks of sharing information or invitation codes publicly.
- Regulate and limit the number of installed social applications on minors' devices.
- Encourage people to use only those platforms they really need and set reasonable usage limits.
- Explain that Personal data, even if it belongs to minors, has value and must be protected. in front of strangers.
It is important to highlight that Most of the risks depend on misuse And not so much the tool itself. If invitations were shared only with trusted people and the codes were kept private, incidents would be significantly reduced.
What permits does TenTen request and why?
In order to operate, TenTen needs a series of permissions that may cause concern, since requires access to sensitive information on the device:
- Contacts: Necessary to identify friends or contacts within the app.
- Approximate location: It is used to connect people nearby or improve the user experience.
- Camera and microphone: Allows you to record and send voice messages or activate interactive functions.
- Full network access: Essential for sending and receiving messages in real time.
- Avoid standby mode: Allows messages to arrive and be played even when the phone is locked.
These permissions are not exclusive to TenTen, Since most social apps with messaging and audio features require similar features, the fact that messages are automated and ephemeral, coupled with a vaguely detailed privacy policy, increases apprehension.
TenTen's growth has been so explosive, especially in France, that its own developers have had to explain and justify the platform's operation to the authorities. The French government is considering measures to regulate access by minors and set parental controls or limitations based on usage.
Despite the criticism, the developers say they are in communication with the French government and other organizations to adapt the app and protect its users' privacy. More controls, filters, and improvements to the privacy policy are expected to be implemented in the future.
The app is already available for free in other European countries, including Spain and other Spanish-speaking territories. There are no in-app purchases, and it is available for both Android and iOS.
The key remains conscious and responsible use by young people.Strengthening digital privacy education is essential. Thus, TenTen represents the classic clash between technological innovation and the need to adapt to new challenges in digital security, especially among teenagers. Its success is based on the immediacy and spontaneity of communication, but it requires greater maturity in use and active collaboration between families, educational centers and developers to minimize the risks and maximize the benefits of responsible connectivity.
