TikTok has quickly become one of the most popular social media platforms in the world. As of 2023, TikTok has over 1 billion monthly active users and has been downloaded over 3.3 billion times globally (Source). The platform allows users to create and share short videos, often set to music. TikTok is especially popular among younger audiences, with 60% of TikTok’s global users being between the ages of 16 and 24.
This article explores the connection between phone numbers and finding someone’s TikTok account. With TikTok’s massive userbase, many people are interested in locating TikTok accounts of people they know solely by phone number. We will examine the various methods that allow linking phone numbers to TikTok accounts, as well as TikTok’s privacy settings that can prevent account discovery.
Linking Phone Numbers to TikTok Accounts
When signing up for a TikTok account, users have the option to provide their phone number. This allows TikTok to verify the account and help users reset passwords or recover accounts if needed. However, providing a phone number is optional – users can create an account without adding a phone number.
According to TikTok’s Privacy Policy, the company may collect a user’s phone number if provided during account creation. The policy states: “If you choose to create, log in to, or authenticate your TikTok account through a phone number, we may collect your phone number.”
TikTok claims they do not sell users’ phone numbers to third parties. Their support site says: “We do not sell personal information, including your mobile phone number, to anyone. Learn more about how TikTok uses your phone number in our Privacy Policy.”
So in summary, TikTok may collect phone numbers at account creation to help with login and security, but does not share or sell them without user consent according to their policies.
Finding TikTok Accounts by Phone Number
One way some internet users attempt to find someone’s TikTok account is by using phone number lookup or reverse phone lookup services. These are websites and apps that claim to provide personal information tied to a phone number, sometimes including social media account associations.
To test if these services can actually find TikTok accounts, I entered a phone number into a popular phone lookup site, Cellular News. The results did show some general information like carrier details, but did not return any linked social media accounts, let alone a specific TikTok profile.
Based on this test, it does not appear reliable to use a basic phone number lookup service to find someone’s TikTok account. These services may make big claims about finding social profiles, but do not seem to have special access to make definitive TikTok account connections for a given phone number.
TikTok Contacts Upload Feature
TikTok allows users to find friends by syncing their phone contacts or Facebook friends list. This is done through TikTok’s upload contacts feature. To use this feature:
- In the TikTok app, tap your profile icon at the bottom.
- Tap the menu button at the top and go to Settings.
- Select “Sync Contacts” and allow TikTok access to your contacts.
Once contacts are uploaded, TikTok will show account suggestions under “Friends on TikTok.” This section displays people you have in your contacts who also have TikTok accounts.
Uploading contacts alone does not reveal your TikTok account information to those contacts. For them to see you as a suggestion, they would also need to upload their contacts and have your phone number saved.
So while uploading contacts helps you find friends, it does not automatically notify them or reveal your account. Your contacts would need to also use the upload feature with your phone number in their list for you to show up as a friend suggestion to them.
Other Ways to Find Someone’s TikTok
While linking a phone number is one option, there are other methods people use to try finding someone’s TikTok account without knowing their username directly:
Searching for usernames a person uses on other platforms like Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, etc. can sometimes lead to finding their associated TikTok account. People often use the same or similar usernames across multiple social platforms.
Looking up a person’s full name or email address associated with their online profiles may also help uncover their TikTok account through search engine results. Sites like Findymail provide guidance on finding emails associated with TikTok accounts.
Using reverse image searches on profile pictures posted on other sites could potentially match back to a TikTok account for someone if they use the same profile photo across platforms.
While these indirect methods may work occasionally, there is no guarantee as users aren’t required to link accounts or use identical profile information across different social media sites and apps.
TikTok Account Privacy Settings
TikTok allows users to make their accounts private. This is done by toggling on the “Private Account” setting under the privacy tab in account settings. When an account is set to private, only approved followers can view the account’s videos. TikTok states that private accounts give users more control over their privacy and experience on TikTok.1
However, setting an account to private does not completely prevent account discovery. While it limits access to account content, a private account’s profile information remains visible. This includes the account name, bio, profile photo, verification status, and number of followers/following. Additionally, private accounts may still appear in search results or suggestions, allowing users to find and follow them. So while private accounts offer some privacy benefits, they do not fully anonymize an account or prevent it from being discovered. Users who desire complete anonymity may need to take additional measures beyond just making their account private.
Mitigating TikTok Account Discovery
There are several ways TikTok users can help prevent others from discovering their accounts through their phone numbers. The most effective approach is to use a separate phone number just for your TikTok account that is not publicly linked to your real identity. This keeps your main personal and professional contacts isolated from your TikTok profile.
You can also make sure your TikTok account is set to private. This prevents people from finding you through search or seeing your profile and posts unless you approve them as followers. Additionally, avoid linking other social media accounts like Instagram, Facebook or Twitter to provide another avenue to uncover your identity.
TikTok’s privacy settings allow you to disable options like “Suggest your account to others” and “Allow others to find me by my phone number” which can aid in keeping your account discrete. Being thoughtful about what personal information is included in your public profile is also wise to limit exposure. With the right precautions, TikTok users can comfortably maintain anonymity.
TikTok Verified Accounts
TikTok offers account verification for notable public figures, celebrities, brands, and organizations. Verified accounts have a blue checkmark badge next to their username to indicate that TikTok has confirmed their authenticity. According to TikTok, the verification program aims to “help users find authentic accounts from influencers, public figures, celebrities, brands, and publishers.”
Verification does not necessarily make an account easier to find. TikTok verification is intended for established accounts to confirm their identity, not to boost discoverability. Verified accounts may gain credibility and prominence, but the blue checkmark does not alone reveal someone’s profile or expose their account. TikTok profiles remain private unless the user chooses to make them public. However, high-profile figures with sizable followings often do utilize TikTok’s public settings.
In most cases, TikTok users must directly look up a verified account’s exact username in order to locate it. Verification status does not override an account’s privacy settings. According to TikTok, the verification badge simply means “the account belongs to the user it represents.” It does not provide information about or access to someone’s profile without their consent.
Legal Rights to TikTok Anonymity
The law provides some protections for anonymity on social media platforms like TikTok, but the protections are limited. The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution protects the right to anonymous free speech, as the Supreme Court has ruled in cases like McIntyre v. Ohio Elections Commission and Watchtower Bible v. Village of Stratton. However, the right is not absolute.
Courts have held that anonymity on social media platforms does not protect individuals who defame or harass others online. As one federal court ruled, “the right to free speech is not absolute; the degree of scrutiny varies depending on the circumstances and the type of speech at issue” (https://www.eff.org/issues/anonymity). So while the law provides some protection for anonymous speech, that protection does not apply to speech that is unlawful or tortious.
Additionally, civil subpoenas can be used to uncover the identity of anonymous posters for purposes of filing a lawsuit. The standards for filing such subpoenas vary by jurisdiction. So while you may have a First Amendment right to anonymous speech, that right can be challenged through proper legal procedures (https://www.dmlp.org/legal-guide/potential-legal-challenges-anonymity).
In summary, the law provides limited protections for anonymity on TikTok, but those protections are not absolute, especially for speech that is defamatory, harassing, or otherwise unlawful. Courts have allowed for procedures to uncover anonymous identities in some contexts. So while users may enjoy some degree of anonymity on the platform, it is not an absolute guarantee under the law.
Conclusion
In summary, there are limited ways for people to find someone’s TikTok account using just a phone number. TikTok’s Contacts Upload feature allows matching phone numbers to accounts, but this requires consent from the TikTok user. Users can also choose to display their connected social media profiles, which could reveal their identity. However, TikTok accounts are private by default, and users have many options to control the privacy settings and visibility of their accounts. Overall, while some correlation is possible between phone numbers and TikTok accounts, users have considerable ability to maintain anonymity if desired.
When using social platforms like TikTok, it’s important to be mindful of what information you choose to reveal publicly. Features like displaying your phone number or social media connections can make it easier for people to identify you. Limiting these options and keeping your account and videos private provide more anonymity. However, it’s also important to balance privacy with the enjoyment and community possible through sharing content more publicly. Adjusting privacy settings thoughtfully allows tailored control over what parts of your identity and content you feel comfortable connecting to your TikTok presence.
