TikTok is a popular short-form video platform with over 1 billion monthly active users. The app allows users to create, share, and discover short videos ranging from 3 to 60 seconds. As with all social media platforms, TikTok has community guidelines that outline what type of content is permitted on the platform.
TikTok’s Community Guidelines aim to foster an inclusive environment and enriching community experience. They specify content that is not allowed on the platform, including illegal activities, nudity and sexual content, harmful acts, violent extremism, harassment, regulated goods, misinformation, spam, misleading content, and copyright violations. By outlining prohibited content, TikTok seeks to maintain the safety and positivity of the community.
Violating the guidelines can result in content removal or account suspension. Understanding TikTok’s policies on prohibited content is important for all users to ensure full compliance.
Illegal Activities
TikTok prohibits any content that promotes or enables criminal activities, including drug use, underage drinking, violence, and dangerous stunts. According to TikTok’s advertising policies, ads must not “promote or facilitate the sale, use, or trade of illegal, regulated, or controlled products.” This includes content depicting the use of illegal drugs or substances.
Videos showing minors drinking alcohol or using controlled substances are strictly prohibited. TikTok aims to maintain a safe environment, especially for younger users. As stated in their Community Guidelines, users may face permanent suspension for posting violent, graphic, or dangerous content. Any videos promoting or normalizing violence, dangerous stunts, or other dangerous or illegal behavior could result in account termination.
Adult Nudity and Sexual Activities
TikTok prohibits all kinds of adult nudity and sexual activities on its platform. According to TikTok’s community guidelines on sensitive and mature themes, “We are mindful that certain content may not be appropriate for young people, may be considered offensive by some, or may create the potential for exploitation.”
Specifically, TikTok does not allow any depictions of nudity or sexual activities, even if artistic or educational in nature. This includes visible genitals, breasts or buttocks, simulated sexual acts, and partial nudity like visible nipples. Additionally, content that promotes escort services, pornography, or adult entertainment is not permitted.
TikTok aims to maintain an app environment suited for a general audience, so all sexually explicit content is prohibited. Users are advised to report any nude images, sexual solicitations, or inappropriate sexual remarks on the platform. Violators may get their account restricted or banned.
Harmful and Dangerous Acts
TikTok prohibits any content that promotes self-harm, suicide, or dangerous challenges that may lead to injury. According to TikTok’s Community Guidelines, videos depicting, promoting, normalizing, or glorifying such acts are strictly prohibited and will be removed from the platform.
Specifically, TikTok bans visuals or audio depicting or encouraging:
- Self-harm such as cutting, burning, or other dangerous acts
- Suicide, including simulated depictions
- Eating disorders or promoting underweight body types
- Dangerous challenges that pose high risk of physical harm
TikTok recognizes that some users may post sensitive content as a cry for help. In such cases, the company may offer resources and support rather than remove the video. However, any content that actively promotes or glorifies self-harm is strictly prohibited.
Users are encouraged to report any dangerous challenges or concerning acts of self-harm they see on TikTok. Moderators work to quickly remove this type of hazardous content in order to protect the TikTok community.
Violent Extremism
TikTok has a zero-tolerance policy towards violent extremism and does not allow any content that promotes terrorism, hate groups, or graphic violence on its platform (source). This includes videos that depict acts of violence intended to intimidate others or threaten the public’s safety, promote extremist groups or ideologies, or contain graphic content meant to shock or disgust viewers.
Specifically prohibited are videos promoting terrorist organizations, recruiting for extremist causes, or teaching dangerous practices like bomb-making. TikTok aims to combat violent rhetoric and quickly remove any extremist content that slips through the cracks. The company partners with organizations like the Global Internet Forum to Counter Terrorism (GIFCT) to identify and eliminate dangerous material.
Users who repeatedly violate the violent extremism policy may be permanently banned. TikTok urges people to report any concerning videos so it can maintain a safe, inclusive environment. The platform has no tolerance for using its creative tools to spread hate or violence.
Harassment and Bullying
TikTok has strict policies against harassment, bullying, and hate speech. This includes:
- Threats of violence or physical harm against an individual or group.
- Humiliating or demeaning an individual or group based on protected attributes like race, religion, disability, or sexual orientation.
- Racist content including hate symbols, slurs, or harmful stereotypes.
Users are encouraged to report any harassment, bullying or threats of harm. TikTok will promptly review all reports and remove violating content. Severe cases can result in account suspensions or bans. Victims of serious harassment or threats should also contact helplines like CyberSmile or law enforcement.
TikTok wants to foster an inclusive environment where people feel safe to express themselves. Hate and harassment undermine that mission. So any content meant to incite harm or spread hate based on protected attributes has no place on the platform.
Regulated Goods
TikTok prohibits content that depicts the trade of regulated, prohibited or risky goods and services. This includes promoting or facilitating the trade of firearms, ammunition, firearm accessories, and explosive weapons or substances.[1]
Illegal drugs and drug paraphernalia are also not allowed on TikTok. Content depicting the sale, purchase, transfer, transportation, shipment, production, or use of illegal drugs will be removed.[1]
In addition, TikTok does not permit the depiction, trade, or promotion of alcohol or tobacco products. Minors are prohibited from purchasing or consuming these substances in most countries, so content that promotes underage drinking or smoking violates TikTok’s guidelines.[2]
Overall, TikTok aims to maintain a safe environment and prohibits content that facilitates dangerous or unlawful behavior. Promoting regulated or prohibited goods on the platform can lead to content removal or account suspension.[2]
[1] https://www.tiktok.com/community-guidelines/en/regulated-commercial-activities/?enter_method=left_navigation
[2] https://www.tiktok.com/community-guidelines
Misinformation
TikTok prohibits misinformation on its platform, which includes inaccurate, misleading, manipulated, or falsified content that may cause harm to individuals, the community, or public health. According to TikTok’s Community Guidelines, spreading misinformation is not allowed and may result in content removal or account suspension.
Some examples of prohibited misinformation include:
- False or misleading news stories created to intentionally deceive users
- Doctored photos or videos presented as real
- Conspiracy theories presented as facts without evidence
- Health claims not backed by scientific consensus
TikTok utilizes technology and human moderators to identify and remove violative misinformation. However, with billions of videos uploaded, some incorrect information can slip through. Users can report potential misinformation for review. TikTok also works to add warning labels and pointing users to authoritative sources on content containing unverified claims.
According to the platform’s Transparency Report, TikTok removed over 85 million videos in 2021 for violating their misinformation policy, representing less than 1% of all videos uploaded. They aim to balance openness with preventing real-world harm. Overall, prohibiting misinformation helps promote an authentic experience on TikTok.
Spam and Misleading Content
TikTok prohibits spam and misleading content that violates its community guidelines. This includes:
Clickbait – Content designed to attract viewers through exaggerated or shocking claims. Clickbait often fails to deliver what was promised in the title/description.
Bots – Accounts controlled by software that mimic human activity in an automated fashion. Bots are prohibited if used improperly, such as for inflating followers or likes.
Scam links – Links that direct to fraudulent/deceptive pages, such as phishing sites. Scam links are not allowed on TikTok.
In general, TikTok aims to remove content that deceives users in order to drive traffic or interaction. This helps maintain an authentic, trustworthy platform. As stated in TikTok’s Community Guidelines, “To build a trusted community online, it is important that the content shared on our platform is authentic. Accounts or content that seek to mislead our community violate this principle.”
Sources:
https://www.tiktok.com/community-guidelines/en/integrity-authenticity/
https://www.tiktok.com/community-guidelines/en/accounts-features?cgversion=2023
Copyright Violations
One type of content not allowed on TikTok is unauthorized use of copyrighted material. According to TikTok’s Copyright Policy, users cannot upload videos that infringe upon someone else’s copyrights. This includes re-uploading clips from TV shows, movies, or music videos without permission from the copyright owner.
TikTok has a strict policy against repeated copyright violations. If a user obtains three copyright strikes, their account will be permanently banned. One-off incidents may result in video removal or temporary account suspension. TikTok’s copyright protection system automatically detects infringing content using digital fingerprinting technology.
To avoid copyright issues, TikTok recommends only using original content you created yourself. If you want to incorporate copyrighted material, obtain the owner’s consent first. Overall, be mindful of respecting others’ creative work and intellectual property rights on the platform.