#5 Reasons Why TikTok Closed Your Account

TikTok is a popular short-form video app that allows users to create and share videos up to 60 seconds long.

The app has over 1 billion monthly active users worldwide. However, TikTok does close user accounts from time to time if they violate the platform’s Terms of Service.

TikTok’s Terms of Service

All TikTok users must agree to the platform’s Terms of Service when signing up for an account.

These terms outline the rules that users must follow when using TikTok.

Some key sections from TikTok’s Terms of Service that are relevant to account terminations include:

“You agree not to use the Services to send unsolicited or unauthorized advertising, solicitations, promotional materials, spam, pyramid schemes, investment opportunities or other unsolicited e-mail (commercial or otherwise), or flooding or attempting to flood the Services with requests”

“You agree not to use the Services to upload, transmit, distribute, store or otherwise make available in any way (including for the purposes of creating and/or streaming content) any User Content that: is obscene, pornographic, paedophilic; is relating to or encouraging money laundering or gambling, or otherwise any activity that is unlawful in any manner whatsoever; harms minors in any way; threatens the unity, integrity, defence, security or sovereignty of India, friendly relations with foreign states, or public order or causes incitement to the commission of any cognisable offence or prevents investigation of any offence or is insulting any other nation.”

“We reserve the right, with or without notice, at any time and in our sole discretion to block access to and/or terminate the accounts of any user who infringes or is alleged to infringe any copyrights or other intellectual property rights.”

These clauses give TikTok broad discretion to terminate accounts that violate their rules around spam, illegal activities, harmful content, terms of service violations, copyright infringement, etc.

Common Reasons TikTok May Close Accounts

Based on TikTok’s Terms of Service, here are some of the most common reasons TikTok may close user accounts:

1. Spam or Promotional Content

TikTok prohibits users from sending “unsolicited or unauthorized advertising” on the platform. This includes spam comments, messages, and videos intended to promote businesses, products, or services.

Accounts that repeatedly post spammy content intended to drive traffic or sales rather than create entertaining videos may be terminated.

“You agree not to use the Services to send unsolicited or unauthorized advertising, solicitations, promotional materials, spam, pyramid schemes, investment opportunities or other unsolicited e-mail (commercial or otherwise), or flooding or attempting to flood the Services with requests”

2. Illegal Activities

Any content that promotes or encourages illegal activities like gambling, money laundering, fraud, counterfeiting, etc. is strictly prohibited.

TikTok has zero tolerance for illegal content or activity on the platform. Accounts posting such content will likely be banned.

“You agree not to use the Services to upload, transmit, distribute, store or otherwise make available in any way… any User Content that: is relating to or encouraging money laundering or gambling, or otherwise any activity that is unlawful in any manner whatsoever”

3. Harmful Content

TikTok removes accounts sharing content that is abusive, dangerous, or promotes harm to oneself or others. This includes harassment, bullying, violence, self-harm, dangerous stunts, etc.

Graphic, shocking, or sensational content may also result in account termination, even if not intended to directly cause harm.

“You agree not to use the Services to upload, transmit, distribute, store or otherwise make available in any way… any User Content that: harms minors in any way…threatens the unity, integrity, defence, security or sovereignty of India, friendly relations with foreign states, or public order or causes incitement to the commission of any cognisable offence or prevents investigation of any offence or is insulting any other nation.”

4. Violating Community Guidelines

All TikTok users must follow the platform’s Community Guidelines. Violating these guidelines could lead to account suspension or termination.

Common violations include nudity/sexual content, hate speech, cyberbullying, impersonation, etc. Repeated or severe violations often result in permanent bans.

“We have the right to remove, disallow, block or delete any User Content…that we consider to violate these Terms, or…in response to complaints from other users or third parties”

5. Copyright Infringement

Uploading videos, images, or sounds that infringe on someone else’s copyright is forbidden on TikTok.

TikTok will remove content in response to DMCA takedown requests and may terminate repeat infringers.

“We reserve the right, with or without notice, at any time and in our sole discretion to block access to and/or terminate the accounts of any user who infringes or is alleged to infringe any copyrights or other intellectual property rights.”

Appealing Account Termination

If your TikTok account is banned, you can appeal the decision by:

• Logging into TikTok on the web and submitting an appeal form.
• Contacting TikTok support and explaining why you believe the termination was a mistake.

However, keep in mind appeals are not always successful, especially if the account violation was clear and severe.

Prevent your account from being closed in the first place by carefully reading and following TikTok’s Terms of Service.

Conclusion

TikTok reserves the right to terminate any accounts that violate their Terms of Service, Community Guidelines, or repeat copyright infringement claims.

By reading the rules and posting appropriate content, TikTok users can maintain access to the platform and avoid any issues.

But if an account is closed, submitting an appeal is the only recourse.

Ultimately, compliance with TikTok’s policies is necessary to remain active on the popular video-sharing app.

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