A locked TikTok account means the user is temporarily unable to access their account. This usually occurs because TikTok detected suspicious activity or a violation of its community guidelines. Reasons an account can be locked include:
- Forgetting login info like password
- Underage user
- Violating community guidelines
- Suspicious activity
- Copyright violations
- Impersonation
- Spam or inauthentic activity
A locked account prevents access temporarily while TikTok investigates. Once resolved, users can regain access. This article provides an overview of why accounts get locked and how to appeal.
Violating Community Guidelines
One of the main reasons TikTok may lock an account is for violating their Community Guidelines. TikTok has rules in place to maintain a safe environment and positive experience for all users. If an account is found to be violating these rules, TikTok may take action such as removing content, disabling features, or locking the account. Some of the main violations that could lead to a locked account include:
Posting content that contains nudity/sexual content, graphic violence, hate speech, harassment, dangerous acts or behavior, or illegal activities. According to TikTok’s guidelines, this type of severe content will result in accounts being permanently banned (TikTok Help Center).
Spamming or posting too much duplicative content. TikTok aims to provide an authentic experience and may lock accounts that are flooding feeds with repetitive content.
Impersonating another person or brand. Pretending to be someone else is strictly prohibited.
Using third-party apps or tools to artificially increase views, likes, comments, followers, etc. TikTok does not allow any kind of inflated metrics or engagement.
Livestreaming inappropriate or harmful content. TikTok has strict rules around appropriate content for livestreams.
In general, any content or activity that violates TikTok’s Community Guidelines could potentially lead to an account lock or ban. The best practice is to read and understand TikTok’s policies and avoid posting questionable content.
Suspicious Activity
One common reason for a TikTok account lock is suspicious activity detected on the account. This often happens when there are attempted logins from new or unusual locations. TikTok’s systems are designed to detect irregular activity as a security measure against hacking attempts. The platform may automatically lock the account as a precaution until the owner can verify their identity.
For example, if someone normally logs into their TikTok account from the United States, but there is suddenly a login attempt from another country, TikTok may lock the account temporarily. This is because the new location indicates potentially unauthorized access. Other triggers can include frequent password reset requests or multiple login failures in a short time period. These types of anomalous behaviors signal to TikTok that the account may be compromised.
In these situations, TikTok will lock the account and require additional identity verification from the owner before restoring full access. This usually involves confirming your phone number or email on file. The lock is intended to protect user accounts by preventing unauthorized users from accessing them. While inconvenient, it is an important security measure on TikTok’s part to ensure account safety and integrity.
Underage Users
TikTok’s community guidelines state that users must be at least 13 years old to have an account. If TikTok believes a user is under 13, they may lock the account. According to TikTok’s Help Center, “TikTok may ban your account if we believe you’re under 13 years old (or under 14 in Indonesia, Quebec, and South Korea). If you believe we made a mistake in banning your account, you can appeal.”
TikTok uses a mix of human moderators and AI to estimate users’ ages based on cues like username, profile information, and behavior patterns. If signs point to a user being under 13, the account will be locked as a safety precaution. While some underage users try to circumvent the rules, evidence suggests TikTok is actively working to identify and remove these accounts.
For users under 13 caught with accounts, appealing the ban can be difficult. TikTok’s policy prohibits accounts for children under 13 given legal restrictions around collecting data on minors. Users must prove they are 13 or older to lift the ban. This often requires submitting a photo ID or guardian’s approval.
Sources:
https://support.tiktok.com/en/safety-hc/account-and-user-safety/underage-appeals-on-tiktok
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2023/dec/19/tiktok-allowing-under-13s-to-keep-accounts-evidence-suggests
Banned Hashtags or Songs
TikTok maintains a list of banned hashtags and songs that are blocked from the platform due to inappropriate, dangerous, or illegal content. Using these banned tags or songs in your videos can trigger TikTok’s content moderation systems and result in your account being locked.
Some examples of banned hashtags that could lead to locks include:
- #thinspo – related to eating disorders
- #s3xting – related to explicit content
- #de4d – related to self-harm
Banned songs tend to contain explicit lyrics promoting violence, hate speech, or illegal activities. Uploading TikTok videos with these songs, even short clips, can result in locks. Examples include:
- “Kim” by Eminem
- “Date Rape” by Sublime
- “Smack A Bitch” by Rico Nasty
To avoid locks, carefully review hashtags and songs before posting to ensure they adhere to TikTok’s Community Guidelines. Using banned content often leads to immediate permanent suspension given the severity of the policy violations.
Violating Copyright
One of the top reasons TikTok may lock your account is for receiving too many copyright strikes. TikTok has a strict policy regarding copyrighted material under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). If you upload videos using copyrighted music, audio, or video clips without permission, the copyright holder can issue a DMCA takedown notice to have your content removed.
According to TikTok’s policies, if your account receives 3 copyright strikes within 90 days, your account will be permanently banned. Copyright strikes expire after 90 days. However, receiving multiple strikes in a short period indicates repeated copyright infringement, which prompts the ban.
To avoid copyright strikes, only use original audio or properly licensed music in your videos. Be careful when using popular songs, movie clips, or reposting other people’s content. Also, editing or remixing copyrighted material does not make it permissible to use without permission. Check TikTok’s copyright policy to understand what constitutes infringement.
If your account gets locked for copyright strikes, you can appeal the decision through TikTok’s dispute process. However, success is not guaranteed if you demonstrably violated their policies. The best way to prevent copyright locks is to follow the rules and avoid unauthorized material.
Impersonation
Impersonating another user is a violation of TikTok’s Community Guidelines and can lead to your account being locked. TikTok takes impersonation seriously as it can be used to spread misinformation, defame someone’s character, or even scam users. According to TikTok’s policies, impersonating someone else includes:
- Pretending to be another person or entity in a misleading or deceptive manner
- Using a name, profile image, or bio to intentionally mislead others
- Registering an account pretending to be someone famous or well-known
If you impersonate someone else on TikTok, your account may be permanently banned. In some cases, TikTok may temporarily lock your account while they investigate the impersonation claim. During this time, you will not be able to access your account. Once TikTok completes its review, they will either lift the temporary lock or permanently ban the account if a violation is confirmed.
The best way to avoid getting locked for impersonation is to clearly represent yourself on your TikTok profile and not pretend to be someone you are not. Impersonating someone else may get you more views and followers in the short-term, but it violates TikTok’s rules and could result in losing your account entirely.
Spam/Inauthentic Activity
Another common reason TikTok may lock your account is if you have participated in spamming others or using bots or fake accounts, which goes against their “Integrity and Authenticity” guidelines. These state that “If we become aware of accounts or content with inauthentically inflated metrics, we will remove the associated fake followers or likes” (source).
TikTok employs algorithms and moderators to detect when accounts are artificially boosting content through inauthentic means, such as automated likes or mass commenting/messaging. They want to promote real interactions between real users, so spam and bots undermine that purpose and community spirit. If your account gets flagged for violating their authenticity standards through these types of spam activities, TikTok may lock your account temporarily or in some cases permanently.
To avoid this issue, make sure you are not using any bots, automated commenting/liking services, or inauthentic accounts to boost your presence. Stick to posting quality content and interacting organically with other real users. This will keep your account in good standing and avoid triggering locks.
How to Appeal
If your TikTok account has been locked, you can appeal the decision directly within the TikTok app. Here are the steps to submit an appeal:
- Open the TikTok app and tap on the notification that your account is locked.
- Tap on “Appeal” to open the appeal form.
- Explain why you believe your account was locked incorrectly. Provide details on why you feel the content violation or suspension was a mistake.
- Attach any supporting documents or evidence that can help your case.
- Carefully review the Community Guidelines to understand what content is prohibited.
- Submit the appeal form and wait for a response from TikTok via email. This can take anywhere from 24 hours to a few weeks.
If your initial appeal is rejected, you can submit another appeal to have your case re-reviewed. However, continuous rejections likely indicate a valid reason for the account lock. Bring forth new information or angles in additional appeals to strengthen your case. Understanding TikTok’s rules and policies can help prevent your account from getting locked again in the future.
For detailed instructions directly from TikTok, visit their Account Safety support page.
How to Prevent Your TikTok Account From Being Locked
While TikTok account locks can be frustrating, there are steps you can take to avoid violations and reduce the chances of your account being restricted:
- Carefully review TikTok’s Community Guidelines to understand what content is prohibited.
- Avoid posting copyrighted material that you don’t have rights to use.
- Don’t buy views, likes, comments, or followers from third-party services, as this can get your account flagged.
- Make your account private if you are under 13 to comply with TikTok’s age policy.
- Don’t engage in spammy behavior like repeatedly posting the same comment or tagging irrelevant users.
- Be authentic and transparent in your posts to avoid impersonation issues.
Staying within TikTok’s rules, avoiding suspicious activity, and keeping your account private if needed can help prevent frustrating account locks in the future.
