TikTok has become one of the most popular social media platforms, with over 1 billion monthly active users. With such a massive userbase uploading countless videos daily, many users wonder if they can delete videos they’ve posted if they have second thoughts or no longer want them online. However, unlike other social platforms, deleting TikTok videos is not straightforward. Once a video is uploaded, it essentially lives on indefinitely in TikTok’s vast databases.
TikTok’s Video Lifespan
Unlike other social media platforms, TikTok does not have a set lifespan for videos. Even if a user deletes a video from their profile, TikTok retains the video in its systems indefinitely according to its privacy policy. TikTok says it retains deleted videos to “comply with legal obligations” and for “legitimate business purposes.”
This means that once a video is uploaded to TikTok, it essentially lives on in TikTok’s database forever, even if the user deletes it. TikTok does not disclose how long exactly it retains deleted videos. But there is no set lifespan or expiration for videos like there is on platforms like Instagram or Snapchat, where content disappears after 24 hours. TikTok gives users no guarantee that a deleted video will be permanently erased from its systems.
TikTok’s Right to Retain Content
According to TikTok’s Terms of Service, the platform has the right to retain any content posted by users. In the Terms of Service, it states that “You grant TikTok a worldwide, irrevocable, non-exclusive, transferable, sub-licensable, royalty-free license and right to use, reproduce, distribute, display, perform, adapt, modify, publish, translate, create derivative works from, and exercise all copyright, publicity rights, and other intellectual property rights with respect to your User Content in any form, anywhere, for any legal purpose, and without obligation for compensation to you.”
This means that once a video is uploaded to TikTok, the platform can continue using and distributing that content as they see fit, even if the original poster deletes the video from their own profile. TikTok’s terms essentially give them free rein to retain videos in their database and servers indefinitely. Users do not have control over the lifespan of their content on TikTok. The platform can continue surfacing, sharing, and benefiting from videos, even after creators remove them from their personal accounts.
Potential for Viral Videos to Resurface
Videos that go viral on TikTok often get copied and reposted extensively across the platform and other social media sites. This means that even if you delete the original video from your TikTok account, copies of it could still exist and continue circulating. According to TikTok’s community guidelines, users are allowed to recreate or repost viral content as long as it is sufficiently transformative.
For example, one of the most common ways viral TikTok videos spread is through other users making “duet” or “reaction” videos that incorporate the original clip. TikTok even has a feature dedicated to finding the top trending videos to duet with in order to increase the chances of going viral (source). So even if you managed to get every copy deleted, new duet and reaction videos could continue popping up. Similarly, compilations of top TikToks frequently include viral clips, which can also be hard to eliminate entirely once they have spread widely.
Videos Live on in TikTok’s Database
Even after a user deletes a video from their TikTok account, the video itself still exists in TikTok’s database. This is according to a website called Tik.fail, which claims to archive TikTok videos submitted by users. Tik.fail says that deleted videos remain in TikTok’s systems and can potentially resurface in the future. Though users may delete a video from their profile, TikTok retains the rights to that content per its Terms of Service. Therefore, copies of videos are preserved on TikTok’s servers even after deletion by the user. While users cannot directly access deleted videos, the videos technically still live on in TikTok’s databases unless proactively removed by TikTok itself.
Requesting TikTok Remove Your Video
If you want TikTok to remove a video that you did not post, the easiest way is to directly request the user who posted it to take it down. You can comment on the video asking them to remove it or send them a direct message. Many users will comply with takedown requests, especially if you explain why you want the video removed.
If contacting the poster does not work, you can report the video within the TikTok app. Tap the share icon on the video, choose “Report”, and select the reason for reporting. TikTok reviews these reports and may remove videos that violate their community guidelines. However, they do not always remove videos just because they are reported. Reasons they may keep videos up include: https://www.redpoints.com/blog/how-to-get-someones-tiktok-video-taken-down/
For copyright and privacy complaints, you can submit a takedown request form directly to TikTok. On the request form you can provide details, links and evidence to support removing the video. TikTok states they comply with valid legal requests in line with local laws. However, takedown processes may take time and do not guarantee content removal.
Limits of Takedown Requests
While TikTok has a process for submitting copyright takedown requests, the success rate is imperfect. According to TikTok’s own transparency report, in the first half of 2022, the platform complied with only 75% of copyright removal requests. This means that 25% of requests did not result in the video being taken down.
There are a few key reasons for failed takedown requests. First, the person submitting the request has to clearly prove they own the copyright to the material. Second, the copyrighted content has to make up a significant portion of the TikTok video. If it’s just background music or a minor clip, TikTok may not remove it. Finally, some requests get caught up in TikTok’s appeals process if the original poster challenges the takedown.
In summary, while submitting a removal request is the best option, users can’t rely on it to work 100% of the time. TikTok retains a fair amount of discretion when handling takedowns.
Alternatives to Deleting TikTok Videos
Since permanently deleting TikTok videos can be difficult, users have options besides deleting to limit the spread of their videos on the platform. One alternative is to change the privacy setting of the video to “Private”. This prevents other users from finding and viewing the video through searches or your profile. According to TikTok’s help center, videos set to private are only visible to you. However, TikTok reserves the right to retain private videos in its database.
Another option is to limit comments on the video. TikTok allows users to turn off commenting on both public and private videos. This prevents engagement that could increase the video’s visibility. Users can also delete individual comments on their videos to remove certain reactions.
Lastly, TikTok has an option to “Not Interested” on videos. If you select this on your own video, it signals to TikTok’s recommendation algorithm not to promote that video. This limits the chances of a video you want to bury from going viral again through platform recommendations. Overall, privatizing, limiting comments, and indicating disinterest are safer alternatives to deletion if you still want to retain access to a video while preventing its spread.
Best Practices to Limit Spread
If you want to avoid your TikTok videos from spreading further than you’d like, there are some best practices you can follow:
Be selective about hashtags – Don’t use hashtags that are too general or popular, as those can make your video go viral unintentionally. Stick to niche, smaller hashtags.
Keep your account private – Making your TikTok account private limits who can see your videos and reduces the chances of unwanted shares.
Delete quickly if needed – If a video starts gaining traction you’re not comfortable with, delete it as soon as possible to limit its spread.
Turn off comments – Disabling comments removes the possibility of negative or abusive comments fueling shares. Use the privacy settings to turn off comments.
Avoid controversial topics – Steer clear of contentious topics or challenges that are likely to get strong reactions and go viral quickly.
Ask people not to share – You can ask trusted viewers explicitly not to share a sensitive video to respect your privacy.
Ultimately, being cautious about posting videos you’d regret going viral is the best way to avoid unwanted distribution on TikTok.
Conclusion
In summary, users cannot permanently delete videos from TikTok due to the platform’s right to retain content under its terms of service. Once a video is uploaded, it becomes part of TikTok’s database and can potentially resurface or be reposted even if the original is taken down. While users can request video removal and opt out of certain features like downloads, there is no guarantee of complete deletion. The best approach is to be thoughtful about what you share, use privacy settings wisely, and avoid overexposure. With careful posting habits, you can minimize unwanted spread while still enjoying creative expression on TikTok.
