TikTok may analyse faces, bodies, objects, audio and spoken words in your content for effects, moderation and ads
TikTok may collect information about the videos, images and audio in your User Content: identifying objects and scenery, the existence and location within an image of face and body features and attributes, the nature of the audio, and the text of the words spoken. The stated purposes are special video effects, content moderation, demographic classification, content and ad recommendations, and other non-personally-identifying operations. A linked support page about face and voice processing is not part of this policy.
Supporting quotations
We may collect information about the videos, images and audio that are a part of your User Content, such as identifying the objects and scenery that appear, the existence and location within an image of face and body features and attributes, the nature of the audio, and the text of the words spoken in your User Content.
We may collect this information to enable special video effects, for content moderation, for demographic classification, for content and ad recommendations, and for other non-personally-identifying operations.
Qualifications & exceptions
Collection and the purposes are stated with may.
The purpose list ends with an open category: other non-personally-identifying operations.
Not stated here
The linked support page on face and voice information was not supplied and is not described here.
Whether this processing creates biometric identifiers, and for how long results are kept, is not stated in this block.
Use & Processing · Context
TikTok uses your information to run the Platform, enforce its Terms, personalise content and ads on and off TikTok
The uses section opens with a summary: TikTok uses your information to improve, support and administer the Platform, to let you use its features, and to fulfil and enforce its Terms of Service. It may also use your information, among other things, to personalise the content you see, promote the Platform, and personalise your ad experience on and off the Platform. The list that follows is introduced as how TikTok generally uses the information, so it is a general description rather than an exhaustive or exclusive list. The cards that follow group the listed uses.
Supporting quotations
As explained below, we use your information to improve, support and administer the Platform, to allow you to use its functionalities, and to fulfill and enforce our Terms of Service. We may also use your information to, among other things, personalise content you see on the Platform, promote the Platform, and personalise your ad experience on and off the Platform. We generally use the information we collect in the following ways:
How we use your information
Qualifications & exceptions
Among other things and generally signal that the listed uses are not exhaustive.
Ad personalisation is stated to apply on and off the Platform.
Not stated here
The Terms of Service referred to were not supplied and are not described here.
Use & Processing · Company practice
Uses for providing, supporting, improving and communicating about the Platform, including internal research and testing
Several listed uses are operational: fulfilling requests for products, services, Platform features, support and information for internal operations (troubleshooting, data analysis, testing, research, statistics, surveys) and soliciting your feedback; improving and developing the Platform and conducting product development; presenting content in the most effective way for you and your device; communicating with you, including notifying you about changes in services; and facilitating and fulfilling sales, promotions and purchases of goods and services and providing user support.
Supporting quotations
To fulfill requests for products, services, Platform functionality, support and information for internal operations, including troubleshooting, data analysis, testing, research, statistical, and survey purposes and to solicit your feedback.
To improve and develop our Platform and conduct product development.
To ensure content is presented in the most effective manner for you and your device.
To communicate with you, including to notify you about changes in our services.
To facilitate and fulfill sales, promotion, and purchases of goods and services and to provide user support.
Use & Processing · Company practice
TikTok personalises what you see, for example by your country settings or content similar to what you liked
TikTok uses your information to personalise the content you see on the Platform. Its examples are providing services based on the country settings you chose and showing content similar to content you liked or interacted with. A linked support page about recommendation systems is not part of this policy.
Supporting quotations
To personalise the content you see when you use the Platform. For example, we may provide you with services based on the country settings you have chosen or show you content that is similar to content that you have liked or interacted with.
Qualifications & exceptions
The examples are introduced with for example and may.
Not stated here
The linked recommendation-systems page was not supplied and is not described here.
Use & Processing · Company practice
TikTok may send promotions for itself, affiliates and trusted third parties, and use your content in campaigns
Three listed uses concern marketing. TikTok sends promotional materials, including by instant messaging or email, from itself or on behalf of its affiliates and trusted third parties. It uses User Content in its own advertising and marketing campaigns to promote the Platform, to invite you to events, and to promote popular topics, hashtags and campaigns. It may announce you as a winner of contests or promotions if the promotion rule permits, and send you applicable prizes.
Supporting quotations
To send promotional materials, including by instant messaging or email, from us or on behalf of our affiliates and trusted third parties.
To use User Content as part of our advertising and marketing campaigns to promote the Platform, to invite you to participate in an event, and to promote popular topics, hashtags and campaigns on the Platform.
To announce you as a winner of our contests or promotions if permitted by the promotion rule, and to send you any applicable prizes.
Qualifications & exceptions
Winner announcements are conditioned on the promotion rule permitting them.
Promotional messages can be on behalf of affiliates and trusted third parties, not only TikTok.
Not stated here
Who counts as a trusted third party is not stated.
Whether you can opt out of promotional messages is addressed, if at all, in the rights section, not here.
Use & Processing · Company practice
TikTok measures ads, delivers personalised ads on and off the Platform, and gives creators and advertisers analytics
TikTok uses your information to measure and understand the effectiveness of ads and other content served to you and others, and to deliver advertising, including personalised advertising, on and off the Platform. It also performs analytics so that creators, advertisers, partners and sellers can see how their content, ads or products perform and better understand their audience and buyers.
Supporting quotations
To measure and understand the effectiveness of the advertisements and other content we serve to you and others, and to deliver advertising, including personalised advertising, to you on and off the Platform.
To perform analytics so that our creators, advertisers, partners, and sellers can see how their content, ads, or products are performing and to better understand their audience and buyers.
Qualifications & exceptions
Advertising delivery is stated to apply on and off the Platform.
Not stated here
Whether analytics shared with creators and advertisers identify you individually is not stated here; the sharing section addresses what is shared.
Use & Processing · Company practice
TikTok uses your data for Find Friends, sharing your active status, account suggestions and interactive content
TikTok uses your information to support social functions: letting you and others connect (for example through Find Friends), sharing whether you are active on the Platform and other information you choose to share with your friends, providing messaging if you choose to use it, suggesting accounts to you and suggesting your account to others, and letting people share, download and interact with User Content posted on the Platform. Related uses are letting you take part in interactive features, such as enabling your content to be used in other users' videos, and letting you participate in the virtual items program.
Supporting quotations
To support the social functions of the Platform, including to permit you and others to connect with each other (for example, through our Find Friends function) and to share whether you are active on the Platform (and other information which you choose to share) with your friends, to provide our messaging service if you choose to use this function, to suggest accounts to you and suggest your account to others, and for you and others to share, download, and otherwise interact with User Content posted through the Platform.
To allow you to participate in interactive features of the Platform, such as enabling your content to be used in other users’ videos.
To enable you to participate in the virtual items program.
Qualifications & exceptions
Messaging is provided if you choose to use it; active status and other information are shared with friends, with other information limited to what you choose to share.
Your account may be suggested to others, not only accounts to you.
Not stated here
Whether sharing of active status can be turned off is not stated in this block.
Use & Processing · Company practice
TikTok scans User Content, messages and metadata to detect abuse, enforce its rules and defend its legal rights
TikTok uses your information to detect and combat abuse, harmful activity, fraud, spam and illegal activity; to promote the safety and security of the Platform, including by scanning, analysing and reviewing User Content, messages and associated metadata for violations of its Terms of Service, Community Guidelines or other conditions and policies; to enforce those Terms, Guidelines and policies; and to protect the Platform and defend the legal rights and commercial interests of TikTok, its affiliates, users and the public. The scanning of messages is stated expressly.
Supporting quotations
To help us detect and combat abuse, harmful activity, fraud, spam, and illegal activity on the Platform.
To promote the safety, security of the Platform, including by scanning, analyzing, and reviewing User Content, messages and associated metadata for violations of our Terms of Service, Community Guidelines, or other conditions and policies.
To enforce our Terms of Service, Community Guidelines, and other conditions and policies.
To protect the Platform and defend our legal rights and commercial interests, and those of our affiliates, users, and the public.
Qualifications & exceptions
Scanning covers User Content, messages and associated metadata.
Protection extends to the interests of affiliates, users and the public, not only TikTok.
Not stated here
The Community Guidelines and other policies were not supplied; the linked enforcement page is not described here.
Use & Processing · Company practice
TikTok uses your information to facilitate research by independent researchers who meet certain criteria
One listed use is facilitating research conducted by independent researchers that meets certain criteria. The criteria are not stated here; the sharing section has a separate Independent Researchers heading.
Supporting quotations
To facilitate research conducted by independent researchers that meets certain criteria.
Qualifications & exceptions
Limited to research meeting certain criteria.
Not stated here
The criteria for research and researchers are not stated in this block.
Use & Processing · Company practice
TikTok uses your information to verify your identity or age
One listed use is verifying your identity or age. The collection section says proof of identity or age is sometimes requested for features such as livestream, verified accounts and Business Accounts, and to ensure you are old enough.
Supporting quotations
To verify your identity or age.
Use & Processing · Company practice
Consistent with your permissions, TikTok provides location-based services such as advertising and personalised content
TikTok uses your information, consistent with your permissions, to provide location-based services such as advertising and other personalised content. The permission qualifier connects to the collection section: approximate location from SIM or IP is collected without a described permission step, while precise location such as GPS is collected only with your permission.
Supporting quotations
Consistent with your permissions, to provide you with location-based services, such as advertising and other personalized content.
With your permission, we may also collect precise location data (such as GPS).
Qualifications & exceptions
Stated as consistent with your permissions.
Precise (GPS) location requires your permission; approximate location from SIM or IP does not, per the collection section.
Not stated here
Whether location-based advertising uses approximate location when GPS permission is refused is not stated.
Use & Processing · Company practice
TikTok uses your information to train and improve its technology, including machine learning models and algorithms
One listed use is training and improving TikTok's technology, such as its machine learning models and algorithms. The policy does not limit which categories of information are used for this.
Supporting quotations
To train and improve our technology, such as our machine learning models and algorithms.
Not stated here
Which information is used for model training, and whether you can object, is not stated here.
Use & Processing · Company practice
Your information may be stored outside your country, for example in Singapore, Malaysia, Ireland and the US
TikTok says your information may be stored on servers outside the country where you live, giving Singapore, Malaysia, Ireland and the United States as examples. It explains that it maintains major servers around the world to provide its services globally and continuously.
Supporting quotations
Where we store your information
Your information may be stored on servers located outside the country where you live, such as in Singapore, Malaysia, Ireland and the United States. We maintain major servers around the world to bring you our services globally and continuously.
Qualifications & exceptions
The listed countries are examples ("such as"), not a complete list of storage locations.
Not stated here
This section does not describe the safeguards used for storage or transfer outside your country.
Use & Processing · Context
Kenya: processing rests on contract necessity, or else legitimate interests, legal obligations or consent
For users in Kenya, these additional terms prevail over the main policy if they conflict. TikTok says it collects and uses personal data to offer the Platform on the basis that the processing is necessary to perform a contract you are entering or have entered. Where it processes data for purposes not necessary for the contract, the processing may rely on its legitimate interests, compliance with its legal obligations, or consent you may have given.
Supporting quotations
Kenya
If you are using our services in Kenya, the following additional terms apply. In the event of any conflict between the following additional terms and the provisions of the main body of this Policy, the following terms shall prevail.
We do so under the lawful basis that the processing is necessary for the performance of a contract in which you are entering or have entered. In some circumstances, we may have to process data for other purposes that are not necessary for the performance of the contract. In such cases, the processing may be based upon (i) our legitimate interests; (ii) compliance with our legal obligations; and/or (iii) consent you may have provided to us.
Qualifications & exceptions
Applies to use of the services in Kenya.
The policy does not match each non-contract purpose to a specific basis.
Use & Processing · User right or choice
Spanish-speaking Latin America: personalised ads, promotions and seller marketing are secondary uses needing consent
For users in Spanish-speaking Latin America, these terms prevail over the main policy if they conflict. TikTok says most uses in the main uses section are necessary purposes, but it requests your consent, as required by applicable laws, for secondary purposes: personalised advertising; sending promotional materials from TikTok or on behalf of its affiliates, sellers and trusted third parties; measuring ad effectiveness and delivering advertising, including personalised advertising, on the Platform and elsewhere online; and facilitating marketing communications from sellers to you on the Platform.
Supporting quotations
Latin America
If you are using our services in Spanish-speaking Latin America, the following additional terms apply and shall prevail in the event of any conflict with the main body of the Privacy Policy.
Most purposes of processing described in the “How we use your information” section of this Privacy Policy are necessary purposes. The following are secondary purposes for which we hereby request your consent as required by applicable laws:
To provide you with personalized advertising.
To send promotional materials from us or on behalf of our affiliates, sellers, and trusted third parties.
To measure and understand the effectiveness of the advertisements we serve to you and others, and to deliver advertising, including personalized advertising, to you on the Platform and elsewhere online.
To facilitate the sending of marketing communications by sellers to you on our Platform.
Qualifications & exceptions
Applies to use of the services in Spanish-speaking Latin America.
Consent is requested for these secondary purposes as required by applicable laws; other listed uses are described as necessary.
Not stated here
Which of the main uses are treated as necessary is not listed item by item.
Use & Processing · Permission or license
Latin America: using TikTok is treated as your consent to the secondary ad and marketing purposes
In Spanish-speaking Latin America, after listing the secondary purposes (including seller marketing on the Platform), the policy says these purposes give you a better experience and that by using the Platform you consent to processing your personal data for them. It adds that you can always exercise your rights as described in the Your rights paragraph. So the consent requested for secondary purposes is framed as given through use of the Platform rather than through a separate opt-in described here.
Supporting quotations
By using our Platform, you consent to the processing of your personal data for these purposes. You can always exercise your rights, as stipulated under “Your rights” below.
To facilitate the sending of marketing communications by sellers to you on our Platform.
Latin America
Qualifications & exceptions
Applies to use of the services in Spanish-speaking Latin America.
Your rights, including revoking consent, remain available as described in the Latin America rights paragraph.
Not stated here
The policy does not describe a separate consent screen or opt-in for these secondary purposes.
Cross-references
contrast (model-proposed): Spanish-speaking Latin America: personalised ads, promotions and seller marketing are secondary uses needing consent — contrast: The Latin America terms say TikTok requests your consent for secondary ad and marketing purposes as applicable law requires, but then state that using the Platform is consent to those purposes. The two statements pull in different directions on how consent is obtained; recorded as a reviewed tension, not a legal finding.
Use & Processing · User right or choice
Latin America: Settings tools let you limit certain processing and choose how data is used and disclosed
For users in Spanish-speaking Latin America, TikTok says it offers choices about how it uses and discloses your personal data, and that you can limit certain processing using the tools available in Settings.
Supporting quotations
We also offer you choices regarding how we use and disclose your personal data, and you can limit certain processing by using the tools available in Settings.
Qualifications & exceptions
Applies to use of the services in Spanish-speaking Latin America.
The Settings tools limit certain processing, not all processing.
Not stated here
The specific Settings tools are not listed.
Use & Processing · Context
Nigeria: using TikTok means agreeing to processing; bases are contract, interests, law, consent and more
For users in Nigeria, these terms prevail over the main policy if they conflict. TikTok says it follows the data processing principles in Nigerian law, and that by signing up or using the Platform you agree to processing under the policy. Processing to offer the Platform rests on contract necessity; processing for other purposes may rely on legitimate interests, legal obligations, consent you have given, performance of a task in the public interest, or protection of vital interests.
Supporting quotations
Nigeria
If you are using our services in Nigeria, the following additional terms apply. In the event of any conflict between the following additional terms and the provisions of the main body of this Privacy Policy, the following terms shall prevail.
By signing up to and/or using the Platform, you agree to the processing and use of your personal data in accordance with this Privacy Policy. We process your personal data on the basis that the processing is necessary for the performance of a contract which you are entering or have entered.
In such cases, the processing may be based upon (i) our legitimate interests; (ii) compliance with our legal obligations; (iii) consent you may have provided to us; (iv) for the performance of a task in public interest; and/or (v) to protect vital interests.
We abide by the relevant principles for the processing of personal data as stipulated under Nigerian law.
Qualifications & exceptions
Applies to use of the services in Nigeria.
The policy does not match each non-contract purpose to a specific basis.
Use & Processing · Company practice
Nigeria: TikTok enforces its rules with automated tools and human moderators and may remove content or ban accounts
For users in Nigeria, TikTok says it may process your personal data by manual and automated methods, and uses your information to enforce its Terms, Guidelines and policies through a mix of automated technology and human moderation. This may include removing content or suspending or banning your account if TikTok determines you are violating its Terms or Guidelines.
Supporting quotations
Processing. We may process your personal data through manual and automated methods. We use your information to enforce our Terms, Guidelines, and policies (through a mix of technology including (a) automated means and (b) human moderation). This may include removing content or suspending or banning your account if we determine that you are violating our Terms or Guidelines.
Qualifications & exceptions
Applies to use of the services in Nigeria.
Removal, suspension or banning follows TikTok's determination that you are violating its Terms or Guidelines.
Not stated here
The Terms and Guidelines were not supplied.
Use & Processing · Permission or license
Russia: processing relies on consent, contract, legitimate interest or law; signing up counts as consent
Under the Russia heading, TikTok says it processes personal data on the grounds of your consent, performance of a contract, its legitimate interest and obligations to process personal data, or where required by law. By signing up and using the Platform, you consent to processing of personal data under the policy.
Supporting quotations
Russia
What are legal grounds for data processing. When we process your personal data, we rely on the grounds of your consent, performance of a contract, our legitimate interest and obligations to process personal data, or when we are so required by law.
By signing up and using the Platform, you consent to the processing of personal data in accordance with this Privacy Policy.
Qualifications & exceptions
Stated under the Russia heading; the section has no separate sentence defining who it applies to.
Use & Processing · Company practice
Russia: your personal data may be transferred from Russia to Singapore and stored there
Under the Russia heading, TikTok says your personal data may be transferred from Russia to Singapore and stored there, outside the country where you live.
Supporting quotations
Where we store your personal data. Your personal data may be transferred from Russia to Singapore and stored in that location, outside of the country where you live.
Qualifications & exceptions
Stated under the Russia heading.
Use & Processing · Context
Uganda: processing rests on contract necessity, or else legal obligations or your consent
For users in Uganda, additional terms apply. TikTok says it collects and uses personal data to offer the Platform on the basis that processing is necessary to perform a contract you are entering or have entered. Where it processes data for other purposes not necessary for the contract, the processing may rely on compliance with its legal obligations or consent you may have given. Unlike the otherwise similar Kenya terms, the Uganda list does not include legitimate interests.
Supporting quotations
We do so under the lawful basis that the processing is necessary for the performance of a contract in which you are entering or have entered. In some circumstances, we may have to process data for other purposes that are not necessary for the performance of the contract. In such cases, the processing may be based upon (i) compliance with our legal obligations; and/or (ii) consent you may have provided to us.
Uganda
If you are using our services in Uganda the following additional terms apply.
(i) our legitimate interests; (ii) compliance with our legal obligations; and/or (iii) consent you may have provided to us.
Qualifications & exceptions
Applies to use of the services in Uganda.
Use & Processing · Company practice
Vietnam: TikTok may process your personal data by manual or automated methods
For users in Vietnam, these additional terms prevail over the main policy if they conflict. TikTok states that it may process your personal data by manual or automated methods.
Supporting quotations
Vietnam
If you are using our services in Vietnam, the following additional terms apply. In the event of any conflict between the following additional terms and the provisions of the main body of this policy, the following terms shall prevail.
Methods of processing your personal data. We may process your personal data by manual or automated methods.