Law Enforcement Data Request Guidelines

TikTok · agreement dated 6 October 2026 · Official agreement

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37 of 49 cards in Legal Rights & Agreement Rules

Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · Context

Guidelines tell law enforcement how to request TikTok user data

This page is addressed to law enforcement officials who want data about users of the TikTok platform. It says the requests go to "any of the TikTok entities listed in Section 1" and calls those entities together "TikTok". The page shows "Last updated: 6 October 2026"; no separate effective date is given. It also says that requests about TikTok Shop data should instead follow a separate set of Shop guidelines, which are linked but not part of this document.

Details
Who
Law enforcement officials
What it covers
Data of users of the TikTok platform
When
Last updated 6 October 2026
Exception
TikTok Shop data requests go to separate Shop guidelines

Supporting quotations

Last updated: 6 October 2026
These guidelines (“Guidelines”) are a reference for law enforcement officials seeking the data of users of the TikTok (the “Platform”) from any of the TikTok entities listed in Section 1 below (together “TikTok”).
If your request relates to TikTok Shop data, please refer to the

Qualifications & exceptions

  • Written for law enforcement officials, not for ordinary users making their own requests.
  • Requests about TikTok Shop data are sent to separate Shop guidelines instead.
  • The page states a last-updated date, not a separate effective date.

Not stated here

  • Section 1 refers to a list of TikTok entities but the supplied text contains no such list (a publisher omission; the list is not imported from elsewhere).
  • The linked TikTok Shop guidelines are not part of the supplied text, so their rules are unknown.
Also annotated in the same passage (2)

Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · Company commitment

TikTok says it cooperates with law enforcement while respecting user rights

TikTok states that it is committed to cooperating with law enforcement while respecting users' privacy, freedom of expression and other rights. It says it has internal policies and procedures, in addition to these Guidelines, that govern how it handles and responds to law enforcement requests. Those procedures are described as informed by legal and human rights standards and as seeking to limit adverse human rights impacts while enabling TikTok to comply with legitimate, valid legal requests from law enforcement, including regulatory authorities where relevant.

Details
Who
TikTok
What it does
Cooperates with law enforcement while respecting user rights
Condition
Legitimate, valid legal requests

Supporting quotations

TikTok is committed to cooperating with law enforcement while respecting the privacy, freedom of expression, and other rights of its users.
in addition to these Guidelines, TikTok has internal policies and procedures governing how TikTok handles and responds to law enforcement requests.
These procedures are informed by legal and human rights standards and have been developed in a way that seeks to limit adverse human rights impacts, while enabling TikTok to comply with legitimate, valid legal requests from law enforcement (including regulatory authorities, where relevant) to disclose user data.

Qualifications & exceptions

  • The procedures "seek to" limit adverse human rights impacts; this describes an aim, not a guaranteed result.
  • Compliance is described as being with "legitimate, valid legal requests".
  • Regulatory authorities are included only "where relevant".

Not stated here

  • The internal policies and procedures are not set out in this document.
  • The linked human rights statement is not part of the supplied text.
Also annotated in the same passage (2)

Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · Restriction or exception

TikTok rejects requests that go against its policies and procedures

The introduction ends by saying TikTok rejects requests which go against its policies and procedures. The sentence does not say which policies or procedures it means; the Guidelines on this page are one part, and TikTok separately refers to internal policies it does not publish here.

Details
Who
TikTok
What it does
Rejects requests
Condition
Request goes against TikTok policies and procedures

Supporting quotations

We reject requests which go against our policies and procedures.

Qualifications & exceptions

  • The rejection standard is tied to TikTok's "policies and procedures", which include internal ones not set out here.

Not stated here

  • Which specific policies or procedures can lead to a rejection, beyond the requirements stated on this page, is not stated.
Also annotated in the same passage (2)

Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · Procedure

Requests must go to the TikTok entity that matches the user's location

Section 1 says a request must first be addressed to the correct TikTok entity, chosen by where the relevant user is located. The text introduces this with "as follows:" and marks "entity" with an asterisk, but no list of entities and no explanation of the asterisk follows in the supplied text. A request sent to the wrong entity may not be processed until it is corrected, which may cause delay.

Details
Who
Requesting law enforcement
What it does
Address the request to the correct TikTok entity
Condition
Location of the relevant user
Condition
Wrong-entity requests may not be processed until rectified

Supporting quotations

First, requests must be addressed to the correct TikTok entity*. This is based on the location of the relevant user as follows:
Please note that requests addressed to the incorrect TikTok entity may not be processed until this has been rectified, which may cause unnecessary delay.

Qualifications & exceptions

  • The entity is chosen by the location of the relevant user, not of the requesting authority.
  • A wrong-entity request "may not" be processed until rectified; processing is not stated to be ruled out.

Not stated here

  • Which TikTok entity applies to which location is not given: the page promises a list ("as follows:") and an asterisk note, and neither follows. The publisher omission is not filled from other sources.
Also annotated in the same passage (4)

Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · Restriction or exception

Requests for U.S.-located users' data point to a separate U.S. version

A note in Section 1 tells requesters that for data of users located in the United States they should refer to the U.S. version of the TikTok Law Enforcement Guidelines, a separately linked page. This page does not say whether any other part of its own rules still applies to those requests.

Details
Where
Users located in the United States
What it does
Refer to the U.S. version of the Guidelines

Supporting quotations

Note: For requests for data of users located in the United States, refer to the U.S. version of the

Qualifications & exceptions

  • Applies to users located in the United States (the user's location), not to the requester's location.

Not stated here

  • The U.S. version is a separate linked page and is not part of the supplied text, so what it requires is unknown.
  • Whether any rule on this page also applies to requests about U.S.-located users is not stated.

Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · Procedure

Requests go through TikTok's web form, with attachments in PDF

Second, Section 1 requires requests to be submitted through TikTok's web form. Any attachments, such as a warrant, court order or other supporting documents, must be PDF files; Word files will not be accepted.

Details
Who
Requesting law enforcement
What it does
Submit the request through the TikTok web form
What it covers
Attachments such as a warrant or court order, in PDF

Supporting quotations

Second, requests must be submitted to our webform:
with any attachments (for example, official warrant, court order, or other documentation supporting the request) in PDF format (word format will not be accepted).

Qualifications & exceptions

  • Attachments must be PDF; Word format is stated not to be accepted.
Also annotated in the same passage (1)

Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · Restriction or exception

A confirmation of receipt does not waive TikTok's right to object

If TikTok confirms that it received correspondence, the confirmation is only a courtesy. TikTok says it does not give up any right of objection by confirming, including objections for lack of jurisdiction, invalid legal process or lack of proper service. A requester therefore cannot treat an acknowledgement as acceptance of the request.

Details
Who
TikTok
What it does
Confirms receipt without waiving objections
Exception
Objections reserved, including lack of jurisdiction, invalid legal process, lack of proper service

Supporting quotations

Any confirmation of receipt of correspondence is for convenience only and, in doing so, TikTok does not waive any right of objection (including for lack of jurisdiction, invalid legal process or lack of proper service).

Qualifications & exceptions

  • The three objections named are examples ("including"); other objections are not excluded.

Not stated here

  • Which other objections TikTok may reserve is not stated.
Also annotated in the same passage (3)

Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · Procedure

Requests and supporting documents must be in English or translated

All requests to TikTok, and any supporting documents such as orders, warrants or subpoenas (or equivalents), must be provided in English or accompanied by a translation.

Details
Who
Requesting law enforcement
What it covers
Requests and supporting documents
Condition
In English or with a translation

Supporting quotations

All requests to TikTok and any supporting documents (including orders, warrants, and/or subpoenas or equivalent) must be provided in English or with a translation.

Not stated here

  • Whether the translation must be certified or sworn is not stated.
Also annotated in the same passage (3)

Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · Restriction or exception

TikTok will not answer requests from non-law-enforcement senders or informal channels

TikTok says it will not respond to requests for user data sent by people who are not law enforcement officials, or sent through informal channels, with personal email addresses given as an example. The route described on this page is the web form in Section 1.

Details
Who
TikTok
What it does
Does not respond to the request
Condition
Sender is not a law enforcement official, or request sent through an informal channel

Supporting quotations

TikTok will not respond to requests for user data sent by non-law enforcement officials or when they are sent through informal channels (such as personal email addresses).

Qualifications & exceptions

  • Personal email addresses are an example of an informal channel, so other informal channels are also covered.

Not stated here

  • Other examples of informal channels are not listed.
Also annotated in the same passage (3)

Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · Procedure

Every request must be signed, dated and sent on law enforcement letterhead

Section 3 says each request must be signed, dated and sent on law enforcement letterhead, and must include the information listed in the rest of the section: the requesting authority and officer, the user account, the data and date range wanted, and the legal basis.

Details
Who
Requesting law enforcement
Condition
Signed, dated, on law enforcement letterhead, with the listed information

Supporting quotations

Each request must be signed, dated, sent on law enforcement letterhead and include the following information:

Qualifications & exceptions

  • Applies to each request, in addition to the web form, language and channel rules in Section 1.

Not stated here

  • What counts as acceptable "law enforcement letterhead" for a court order or electronic submission is not described.
Also annotated in the same passage (1)

Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · Procedure

A request must identify the requesting authority and the officer

The request must give the name and location of the requesting authority; for a court order, it should give the court's location and name and the judge or magistrate. It must also give the requesting officer's name, badge or identification number, email address (which must be from an official email domain) and phone number, including any direct-dial extension.

Details
Who
Requesting authority or court, and requesting officer
Condition
Email must be from an official email domain

Supporting quotations

Details of requesting law enforcement authority (or Court):
Requesting Authority (or Court): The name and location of the relevant authority. In the case of a Court order, the request should indicate the location and name of the relevant Court and judge / magistrate.
Requesting officer: The requesting officer’s name, badge / identification number, email address (this must be from an official email domain) and phone number (including any direct dial extension).

Qualifications & exceptions

  • Court and judge details are what the request "should" indicate when it is a court order; the officer's email "must" be from an official domain.

Not stated here

  • What counts as an "official email domain" is not defined.

Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · Procedure

A request about a specific user must give an approved account identifier

When asking for data about a specific user, the request must give a specific TikTok username or another approved account identifier for that account. TikTok also asks for a screenshot of the account to help it find the right account faster. The approved identifiers listed are the TikTok User ID, the TikTok username (an account URL or screenshot is accepted), a phone number, an email address, and a Video ID (a video URL or screenshot is accepted).

Details
Who
Requesting law enforcement
What it covers
TikTok User ID, username, phone number, email address or Video ID
Condition
Request concerns a specific user

Supporting quotations

Details of relevant user account:
When requesting data regarding a specific user of the Platform, you must provide a specific TikTok username or an approved account identifier associated with the relevant account.
We also request that a screenshot of the relevant account be provided (to help us to identify the correct account more quickly).
TikTok User ID
TikTok username (account URL or screenshot accepted)
Phone number
Email address
Video ID (video URL or screenshot accepted)

Qualifications & exceptions

  • The identifier requirement applies when the request is about a specific user.
  • The screenshot is requested ("We also request"), not stated as a condition.

Not stated here

  • The document does not say what happens to a request that uses none of the listed identifiers beyond the general power to refuse requests that do not meet the requirements.

Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · Restriction or exception

A request must state the scope and date range; overly broad requests are refused

The request should clearly state the scope of the data wanted, and TikTok says overly broad requests will be refused. It must also give a date, with a time if possible, or a date range "as relevant to the request (for historic data only)". The bracketed phrase is not explained, so it is unclear whether it limits when a date range is needed or what kind of data it applies to.

Details
Who
TikTok
What it does
Refuses overly broad requests
Condition
Date, time if possible, or date range as relevant

Supporting quotations

Data requested: The request should clearly specify the scope of the data requested. Overly broad requests will be refused.
Date range: The request must specify a date (and, if possible, a time), or a date range as relevant to the request (for historic data only).

Qualifications & exceptions

  • "Should" is used for the scope statement while "will be refused" applies to overly broad requests.
  • The date or date range is "as relevant to the request (for historic data only)".

Not stated here

  • What counts as "overly broad" is not defined.
  • What the words "(for historic data only)" restrict is not explained.

Cross-references

Also annotated in the same passage (1)

Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · Company commitment

TikTok notifies users of disclosures only where the law requires, with three exceptions

Section 4 says that where required by law, TikTok will notify users if it discloses their data to law enforcement. It may not give notice where notice is prohibited by applicable law, would jeopardize an investigation, or would put individuals at risk of harm. The request itself should say whether user notification is permitted. TikTok does not promise to notify users in cases where no law requires it.

Details
Who
TikTok
What it does
Notifies users of disclosure to law enforcement
Condition
Where required by law
Exception
Prohibited by law; would jeopardize an investigation; would put individuals at risk of harm

Supporting quotations

User notification: Please indicate whether user notification is permitted
Where required by law, we will notify TikTok users if we disclose their data to law enforcement.
We may not provide such notice where it: (a) is prohibited under applicable law; (b) would jeopardize an investigation; and/or (c) would put individuals at risk of harm.

Qualifications & exceptions

  • The commitment applies only "where required by law".
  • Notice "may" be withheld if prohibited by law, if it would jeopardize an investigation, or if it would put individuals at risk of harm.

Not stated here

  • Which laws require notice is not stated.
  • Whether notice is given later once an exception no longer applies is not stated.
  • When and how a user would be told is not described.
Also annotated in the same passage (1)

Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · Company practice

TikTok relies on the requesting authority to indicate that its request meets the criteria

At the end of Section 4 TikTok says it will rely on the requesting authority to clearly indicate that its request has met the criteria in these Guidelines. The sentence sits after the notification text, and it does not say which criteria it means (the notification exceptions or the Guidelines' requirements generally), so how far it limits what TikTok checks is unclear.

Details
Who
TikTok
What it does
Relies on the requesting authority's indication that the criteria are met

Supporting quotations

TikTok will rely on the requesting law enforcement authority to clearly indicate that their request has met with the criteria set out in these Law Enforcement Guidelines.

Qualifications & exceptions

  • The sentence follows the user-notification text.

Not stated here

  • Whether "the criteria" means the notification exceptions or all Guidelines requirements is not stated.
  • The document does not say whether TikTok also checks the authority's indication.
Also annotated in the same passage (1)

Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · Restriction or exception

Disclosing preserved data still requires meeting the Section 1 and Section 3 requirements

Preservation is not disclosure. To seek disclosure of preserved data, the requirements of Sections 1 and 3 apply: the request goes to the correct TikTok entity through the web form, with PDF attachments and in English or translated, from a law enforcement official, and with the Section 3 information.

Details
Condition
Sections 1 and 3 requirements apply to disclosure of preserved data

Supporting quotations

To seek disclosure of preserved data, the requirements set out in Sections 1 and 3 of these Guidelines will apply.
1. Basic requirements
First, requests must be addressed to the correct TikTok entity*.
Please note that requests addressed to the incorrect TikTok entity may not be processed until this has been rectified
Second, requests must be submitted to our webform:
must be provided in English or with a translation.

Qualifications & exceptions

  • Applies to disclosure of data that has been preserved, not to preservation itself.

Not stated here

  • The entity list that Section 1 promises is not in the supplied text.
Also annotated in the same passage (9)
1 more

Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · Procedure

Emergency requests must come from a sworn law enforcement official through the web form

Emergency requests must be submitted through the same web form. They must be made by a sworn law enforcement official and, if sent by email, come from an official law enforcement email domain. People who are not law enforcement and know of an emergency should immediately and directly contact local law enforcement. The text names the web form as the way to request emergency data and also mentions email, without saying how an email request fits that rule.

Details
Who
Sworn law enforcement official
What it does
Submit emergency request through the web form
Condition
If sent via email, from an official law enforcement email domain

Supporting quotations

To request this data, you must submit your request through our web form:
All emergency requests must be made by a sworn law enforcement official, and come from an official law enforcement email domain (if sent via email).
Non-law enforcement personnel aware of an emergency situation should immediately and directly contact local law enforcement officials.

Qualifications & exceptions

  • The requester must be a sworn law enforcement official.
  • The official-domain rule applies "if sent via email".

Not stated here

  • How an emailed emergency request relates to the web-form-only instruction is not explained.
  • What makes an official "sworn" is not defined.
Also annotated in the same passage (1)

Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · Procedure

Requests across countries may need to go through a mutual legal assistance treaty or letters rogatory

Section 7 says it may be necessary for a law enforcement authority to request legal assistance from designated government authorities under the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty ("MLAT") framework, or by letters rogatory. The example given is when the requesting authority is in a different country from the TikTok entity that serves the relevant user, which Section 1 ties to the user's location. The Guidelines point to the separate FAQ for more on MLAT.

Details
Who
Requesting law enforcement authority
What it does
Submit a request for legal assistance under MLAT or by letters rogatory
Condition
Requesting authority located in a different country to the TikTok entity serving the user (for instance)

Supporting quotations

It may be necessary for a law enforcement authority to submit a request for legal assistance to designated government authorities under the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (“MLAT”) framework, or by letters rogatory.
For instance, this may arise in circumstances where the requesting law enforcement authority is located in a different country to the TikTok entity that provides the service to the relevant user whose data is requested (refer to Section 1 above).
See our Law Enforcement FAQs for more information in relation to MLAT.
1. Basic requirements
First, requests must be addressed to the correct TikTok entity*.

Qualifications & exceptions

  • "May be necessary": the route is needed in some circumstances, with a different-country requester given only as an example ("For instance").

Not stated here

  • Which TikTok entity serves which users is not given because the Section 1 list is missing from the supplied text.
  • The full set of circumstances in which MLAT is required is not stated here.

Cross-references

Also annotated in the same passage (8)

Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · Restriction or exception

Requesters must ensure their information is accurate and the request necessary and proportionate

Law enforcement officials must make sure the information they give is complete and accurate to the best of their knowledge and good faith belief. They must also ensure that the disclosure or other action requested is necessary and proportionate for preventing, detecting or investigating offences, or for preventing an emergency.

Details
Who
Law enforcement officials
Condition
Information complete and accurate to best of knowledge and good faith belief; request necessary and proportionate

Supporting quotations

In submitting a request, law enforcement officials are required to ensure that any information provided is complete and accurate to the best of their knowledge and good faith belief, and that the disclosure (or other action) requested is necessary and proportionate for the purposes of the prevention, detection or investigation of offences, or to prevent an emergency.

Qualifications & exceptions

  • Accuracy is judged against the official's knowledge and good faith belief.

Not stated here

  • The consequences of an inaccurate or disproportionate request are not stated in this passage.
Also annotated in the same passage (6)

Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · Restriction or exception

The receiving authority must handle disclosed data under applicable law, including data protection law

Once law enforcement has received the data, the law enforcement authority is required to handle it in accordance with applicable laws, including relevant data protection laws. The requirement is placed on the authority, not on TikTok.

Details
Who
Law enforcement authority
What it does
Handles the data in accordance with applicable laws including data protection laws
When
Once received

Supporting quotations

Once received by law enforcement, the law enforcement authority is required to handle such data in accordance with applicable laws, including relevant data protection laws.

Qualifications & exceptions

  • The obligation is on the law enforcement authority after it receives the data.

Not stated here

  • Which laws apply, and whether TikTok monitors the authority's handling, is not stated.
Also annotated in the same passage (6)

Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · Company practice

TikTok may update the Guidelines and says updates will appear on its website

TikTok may update these Guidelines from time to time, and says changes may be informed by factors including legal or human rights developments and operational or product changes to the platform. All relevant updates will be reflected on the TikTok website. The text does not promise advance notice to requesters.

Details
Who
TikTok
What it does
May update the Guidelines and reflect relevant updates on its website

Supporting quotations

TikTok may update these Guidelines from time to time, and such changes may be informed by a range of factors, including legal or human rights developments, operational and/or product changes to the Platform. All relevant updates will be reflected on the TikTok website.

Qualifications & exceptions

  • Reasons are examples ("a range of factors, including").

Not stated here

  • Whether requesters receive advance notice of changes is not stated.
  • Which updates count as "relevant" is not stated.
Also annotated in the same passage (6)

Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · Context

The FAQs are meant to be read together with the Guidelines

The FAQ section says it should be read together with TikTok's Law Enforcement Guidelines (the page's main text). The FAQ answers explain and in places restate the Guidelines; they are part of the same page.

Details
What it covers
FAQs and Guidelines read together

Supporting quotations

These FAQS should be read together with TikTok’s

Not stated here

  • The text does not say which part prevails if the FAQs and Guidelines differ.

Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · Company practice

Every request is assessed case by case by a dedicated response team before disclosure

TikTok says all requests it receives go through a case-by-case assessment by its dedicated law enforcement response team before any user data is disclosed. The team is described as trained to evaluate requests and as frequently engaging in outreach to explain TikTok's requirements for disclosure.

Details
Who
TikTok law enforcement response team
What it does
Assesses each request case by case
When
Before any user data is disclosed

Supporting quotations

All requests received undergo a case-by-case assessment by TikTok’s dedicated law enforcement response team before any user data is disclosed.
This team is trained to evaluate requests from law enforcement authorities and frequently engages in outreach to communicate TikTok’s requirements for disclosing user data to law enforcement authorities.

Qualifications & exceptions

  • Stated for "all requests received" and applies before any user data is disclosed.

Not stated here

  • The team's size, training content and decision criteria beyond the stated requirements are not described.

Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · Company commitment

Disclosure rules reflect applicable law, internal policy and human rights commitments, and vary by country

The FAQ repeats that TikTok is committed to cooperating with law enforcement while respecting users' privacy, freedom of expression and other rights. It says the disclosure requirements are set out in the Guidelines (in particular Sections 1 and 3), reflect TikTok's internal policies and procedures, and are based on applicable legal requirements and its commitment to international human rights, including the International Bill of Human Rights. Because laws differ between countries, it says the rules on when data can legally be disclosed also vary to some extent.

Details
Who
TikTok
Condition
Applicable legal requirements, which vary from one country to another
Where
Rules vary by country

Supporting quotations

TikTok is committed to cooperating with law enforcement while respecting the privacy, freedom of expression, and other rights of our users.
(in particular see Sections 1 and 3).
These requirements reflect our internal policies and procedures for handling requests from law enforcement authorities, and are based on applicable legal requirements and our commitment to international human rights, including the International Bill of Human Rights.
Because the applicable laws vary from one country to another, the rules on when data can legally be disclosed will also vary to some extent and our internal policies and procedures reflect this while at the same time reflecting our global commitments to freedom of expression and privacy.

Qualifications & exceptions

  • Disclosure rules "vary to some extent" with the applicable country's laws.

Not stated here

  • Which countries' rules differ, and how, is not stated.
  • The internal policies and procedures are not set out in this document.

Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · Restriction or exception

TikTok may reject requests that do not meet the requirements, with four common examples

The FAQ says TikTok may reject law enforcement data requests that do not meet the requirements set out in the Guidelines. The most common examples are: not addressed to the correct TikTok entity; not specifying the legal process that authorizes law enforcement to request and collect information; not stating the offence under investigation, its circumstances and its connection to TikTok; and overly broad requests for "all user data" or requests with no date range. The FAQ says "may reject", where the Guidelines say overly broad requests "will be refused", so the FAQ is a little softer; the examples are common ones, not a complete list.

Details
Who
TikTok
What it does
May reject law enforcement data requests
Condition
Wrong entity; no legal process; no offence details; overly broad or no date range

Supporting quotations

TikTok may reject data requests from law enforcement authorities where they do not meet the requirements that are clearly set out in our Law Enforcement Guidelines. The most common examples are as follows:
Requests that are not addressed to the correct TikTok entity;
Requests that do not specify the legal process which authorizes law enforcement to request and collect information;
Requests that do not indicate the type of offence(s) under investigation, the circumstances of the offence(s) and in what way it/they are connected to TikTok; and
Overly broad requests for “all user data” or where there are no date ranges indicated.
1. Basic requirements
First, requests must be addressed to the correct TikTok entity*.

Qualifications & exceptions

  • The FAQ says TikTok "may" reject; the examples are "the most common", not exhaustive.
  • The Guidelines' date range wording includes the unexplained bracket "(for historic data only)"; the FAQ names missing date ranges without that bracket.

Not stated here

  • Other grounds for rejection are not listed.
  • Whether a rejected request can be corrected and resubmitted is not stated.

Cross-references

Also annotated in the same passage (4)

Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · Company practice

TikTok may narrow requests, ask for more information, or say MLAT is needed

Besides rejecting non-compliant requests, TikTok says it will, in accordance with applicable law, seek to narrow the scope of requests (the volume of data, the number of users or the time period); ask for further information, in particular on the legal process or the offence under investigation; or tell the requesting authority that a request through the MLAT process is necessary. The three steps are presented as alternatives joined by "or".

Details
Who
TikTok
What it does
Narrows the scope, asks for more information, or says MLAT is necessary
Condition
In accordance with applicable law

Supporting quotations

Aside from rejecting requests from law enforcement authorities that are not made in accordance with the relevant legal processes and requirements, TikTok will in accordance with applicable law:
Seek to narrow the scope of data requests in terms of the volume of data requested, the number of users they relate to and/or the time period to which they relate;
Ask for further information in support of the request (in particular, for details of the relevant legal process and/or the type of offence(s) under investigation); or
Communicate to the requesting law enforcement authorities that a request via the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (“MLAT”) process is necessary to obtain disclosure of the requested data.
It may be necessary for a law enforcement authority to submit a request for legal assistance to designated government authorities under the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (“MLAT”) framework, or by letters rogatory.
7. Other

Qualifications & exceptions

  • TikTok acts "in accordance with applicable law".
  • "Seek to" narrow requests describes an effort.

Not stated here

  • When TikTok chooses each step is not stated.
Also annotated in the same passage (7)

Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · Company practice

TikTok may report fraudulent attempts to obtain user data to relevant authorities

TikTok says it may report any fraudulent attempts to obtain user data information to relevant authorities.

Details
Who
TikTok
What it does
May report fraudulent attempts to obtain user data to relevant authorities

Supporting quotations

TikTok may report any fraudulent attempts to obtain user data information to relevant authorities.

Qualifications & exceptions

  • Stated as "may report".

Not stated here

  • Which authorities are "relevant" is not stated.

Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · Context

Examples of emergencies: child safety, missing persons, self-harm, imminent violence, disasters

Each emergency disclosure request is assessed case by case by the response team on its own circumstances. The FAQ gives examples that may constitute an emergency: child safety and exploitation, missing persons, suicide and self-injury, imminent threats of violence (including terrorism), and natural or man-made disasters such as fires, floods or earthquakes. These are examples that "may" count, not a fixed list of qualifying cases.

Details
Who
TikTok law enforcement response team
Condition
Case-by-case assessment of the particular circumstances

Supporting quotations

All emergency disclosure requests undergo a case-by-case assessment and each request will be evaluated by our law enforcement response team based on its particular circumstances. However, the following are some examples that may constitute an emergency:
Cases of child safety and exploitation;
Missing persons;
Suicide and self-injury scenarios;
Imminent threats of violence (including terrorism); or
Natural or man-made disaster situations (such as fires, floods, earthquakes, etc).

Qualifications & exceptions

  • The scenarios "may constitute" an emergency; each request is still assessed on its particular circumstances.

Not stated here

  • Whether a scenario in the list always qualifies is not stated.

Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · Company practice

Law enforcement in any country can submit a request, but requirements vary

The FAQ says law enforcement authorities in any country can submit a request to TikTok. The requirements for disclosure vary with the location of the user, the location of the requesting authority and, in certain cases, the type of data requested. In certain circumstances TikTok will tell the authority that a request through the MLAT process is necessary to obtain the data.

Details
Who
Law enforcement authorities in any country
Where
Requirements vary by user location and requester location
Condition
In certain cases, type of data requested

Supporting quotations

While law enforcement authorities in any country can submit a request to TikTok, the requirements for data disclosure will vary depending on the location of the user, the location of the requesting law enforcement authority and, in certain cases, the type of data requested.
In certain circumstances, TikTok will communicate to a law enforcement authority that a request via the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty process (known as “MLAT”) is necessary to obtain disclosure of the requested data.
Communicate to the requesting law enforcement authorities that a request via the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (“MLAT”) process is necessary to obtain disclosure of the requested data.

Qualifications & exceptions

  • Requirements vary by the user's location, the requester's location and, "in certain cases", the data type.
  • The MLAT notice happens "in certain circumstances".

Not stated here

  • What the requirements are for each location or data type is not stated here.
  • Which circumstances lead TikTok to say MLAT is necessary is not fully listed.
Also annotated in the same passage (2)

Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · Company commitment

TikTok publishes Transparency Reports with the number of requests received from each country

TikTok says it publishes Transparency Reports that give the number of requests it has received from each country. The reports are separate documents and are not part of the supplied text.

Details
Who
TikTok
What it does
Publishes Transparency Reports with the number of requests received from each country

Supporting quotations

TikTok publishes Transparency Reports with information on the number of requests received from each country.

Not stated here

  • The reports are not supplied, so their contents, timing and what they count are unknown.
Also annotated in the same passage (1)

Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · Context

An MLAT is a treaty for governments to help each other in legal matters

The FAQ defines an MLAT as a treaty between two or more countries on how each assists the others in legal matters such as criminal investigations. Through it, one country's government can seek help from another's in obtaining information from companies located in the other country.

Details
What it covers
Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty

Supporting quotations

An MLAT is a treaty between two or more countries that defines how each will assist in legal matters, such as in criminal investigations. Through an MLAT, the government of one country can seek assistance from the government of another country in obtaining information from companies located in the other country.

Not stated here

  • Which treaties apply to particular countries is not stated.

Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · Procedure

MLAT may be needed when the requester is in a different country from the serving TikTok entity

The FAQ says MLAT may be necessary where the requesting authority is in a different country from the TikTok entity that provides the service to the user (see Section 1). An authority unsure whether to use MLAT can contact TikTok, which will endeavour to say whether MLAT is appropriate and to direct it to the designated "central authority" in the appropriate country.

Details
Who
TikTok
What it does
Endeavours to say whether MLAT is appropriate and direct to the central authority
Condition
Requesting authority in a different country to the TikTok entity serving the user

Supporting quotations

It may be necessary in circumstances where the requesting law enforcement authority is located in a different country to the TikTok entity that provides the service to the relevant user
On receipt of such a request, TikTok will endeavour to communicate to the law enforcement authority whether MLAT is appropriate and to direct them to the designated “central authority” for MLAT purposes in the appropriate country.
It may be necessary for a law enforcement authority to submit a request for legal assistance to designated government authorities under the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (“MLAT”) framework, or by letters rogatory.
7. Other
1. Basic requirements
First, requests must be addressed to the correct TikTok entity*.

Qualifications & exceptions

  • "May be necessary"; TikTok will "endeavour" to advise, which is an effort, not a guarantee.

Not stated here

  • Which TikTok entity serves which users is not given because the Section 1 list is missing from the supplied text.

Cross-references

Also annotated in the same passage (8)

Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · Procedure

Non-law-enforcement requests go to TikTok's content and intellectual property reporting channels

The FAQ says requests that are not from law enforcement should be directed elsewhere. Reports of content that may breach TikTok's Community Guidelines follow the reporting steps on a linked help page, and reports of alleged copyright or trademark infringement are made under TikTok's Intellectual Property Policy through its Copyright Infringement Report or Trademark Infringement Report forms. The linked pages are not part of the supplied text.

Details
What it does
Direct non-law-enforcement requests to the content and IP infringement reporting routes

Supporting quotations

Non-law enforcement requests should be directed as follows:
Report Content: Details of how to report various types of content that may be in breach of TikTok’s Community Guidelines are available
Report IP infringement: Reports of alleged copyright or trademark infringement should be made in accordance with TikTok’s

Qualifications & exceptions

  • The two routes listed concern content reports and IP infringement reports only.

Not stated here

  • Where other kinds of non-law-enforcement requests, such as a user's own data request, should go is not stated here.
  • The linked help page, Intellectual Property Policy and report forms are not supplied.

Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · Company practice

TikTok endeavours to respond in a timely manner but states no fixed response time

TikTok's dedicated team endeavours to respond to all requests in a timely manner, but response times vary, in particular with caseload and the complexity of the request. A time-sensitive request should say so and explain why. Longer response times can be expected where a request does not meet the requirements in the Guidelines and FAQs.

Details
Who
TikTok law enforcement response team
What it does
Endeavours to respond in a timely manner
Condition
Time-sensitive requests should say so and explain why

Supporting quotations

TikTok’s dedicated law enforcement response team endeavours to respond to all requests in a timely manner but response times can vary in particular due to the caseload volume at a given time and the complexity of a request.
If a particular request is time-sensitive, we would ask the requesting law enforcement officer to note this in the request (explaining the reasons).
Longer response times can be expected where the request does not meet the requirements set out in our

Qualifications & exceptions

  • "Endeavours" describes an effort; no deadline is given.

Not stated here

  • No target or maximum response time is stated.

Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · Procedure

Follow-up data requests after a Cybertip report must meet the Guidelines and cite the report number

If law enforcement received a Cybertip report that TikTok made to NCMEC and now wants more user data for an investigation, its request must still meet the requirements in the Guidelines and the FAQs. To help TikTok process the request, it should give the report number NCMEC assigned to the Cybertip report.

Details
Who
Law enforcement that received a Cybertip report
Condition
Request must meet the Guidelines and FAQ requirements

Supporting quotations

If law enforcement has received a Cybertip report made by TikTok to NCMEC, and is now requesting further user data in connection with an investigation, the request must meet the requirements set out in our
To help us more efficiently process your request, please specify in your request the report number assigned to the Cybertip report by NCMEC.

Qualifications & exceptions

  • Naming the report number is a request ("please specify") to help processing, not stated as a condition.

Not stated here

  • Which data TikTok would disclose after a Cybertip is not stated.
Also annotated in the same passage (1)