Terms of Service

Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · Context

Using the Platform forms a contract with TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC

These Terms (last updated July 15, 2026) are an agreement between you and TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC, which operates the Platform in the United States. The contract forms either when you accept the Terms or when you otherwise use or access the Platform, so using the Platform without clicking to accept still counts. The document itself summarizes this as a contract you should read and that you agree to by using the Platform.

Supporting quotations

Last updated: July 15, 2026

are an agreement between you and TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC

the operator of the Platform in the United States

You form a contract with us when you accept these Terms or when you otherwise use or access the Platform.

By using the Platform, you are agreeing with these Terms.

Qualifications & exceptions

• Covers the Platform as operated in the United States by TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC.

Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · Context

The Terms cover TikTok apps, websites, software and related services unless other terms are stated

The Terms govern your use of TikTok’s services, defined as the Platform: TikTok applications, websites, software (for example the embeddable media player), features, technologies and related services (for example letting third-party search engines surface public TikTok content), however accessed or delivered. They do not apply where TikTok states that other terms apply.

Supporting quotations

These Terms govern your use of our services, which include TikTok applications, websites, software

accessed or delivered via any platform or device (the “Platform”), except where we state that other terms apply.

These Terms apply to your use of the Platform, except where we state that other terms apply.

Qualifications & exceptions

• Does not apply where TikTok states that other terms apply.

Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · Restriction or exception

TikTok For Business, Ads Manager and Business Center services are under separate terms

Services you reach through TikTok For Business, TikTok Ads Manager and TikTok Business Center accounts are governed by separate terms, not by these Terms.

Supporting quotations

Any services you access through your TikTok For Business, TikTok Ads Manager and TikTok Business Center accounts are governed by the separate terms applicable thereto.

Not stated here

• The separate business terms are not supplied in this document.

Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · Context

The Privacy Policy, Community Guidelines and Additional Terms also govern your use of the Platform

Your use of the Platform is also governed by TikTok’s Privacy Policy and Community Guidelines. Depending on the services you use, further terms and policies may apply, either from the list in this section or otherwise made available to you; the Terms call these “Additional Terms”. If you use those services, the Additional Terms become part of these Terms, and the document later says these Terms plus any applicable Additional Terms are the whole legal agreement between you and TikTok USDS Joint Venture.

Supporting quotations

Your use of the Platform is also governed by our Privacy Policy and Community Guidelines. And, depending on the specific services you use, the additional terms and policies listed below or that are otherwise made available to you may apply

If you use such services, the Additional Terms become part of these Terms.

There may be some additional terms and policies that apply, depending on how you use the Platform.

These Terms and any applicable Additional Terms described above are the whole legal agreement between you and TikTok USDS Joint Venture

Qualifications & exceptions

• Additional Terms apply only depending on the specific services you use.

Not stated here

• The Privacy Policy, Community Guidelines and the Additional Terms are linked but their text is not supplied here.
• The Terms do not list every Additional Term: policies “otherwise made available to you” also qualify.

Cross-references

• qualified by (model-proposed): If Additional Terms conflict with these Terms, the specific Additional Term prevails for that service — The conflict rule limits how the incorporated Additional Terms operate: a specific Additional Term prevails over the Terms only for the services it covers.

Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · Restriction or exception

If Additional Terms conflict with these Terms, the specific Additional Term prevails for that service

When a specific provision of the Additional Terms conflicts with these Terms, the specific provision of the Additional Terms wins, but only for your use of the services those Additional Terms apply to. The Terms do not say how conflicts with the Privacy Policy or Community Guidelines are settled; this rule is stated for Additional Terms.

Supporting quotations

If any specific provision of the Additional Terms conflicts with these Terms, the specific provision of the Additional Terms will prevail with respect to your use of the applicable services.

Qualifications & exceptions

• Applies only with respect to your use of the services the Additional Terms cover.

Not stated here

• The Terms do not say which prevails if the Privacy Policy or Community Guidelines conflict with these Terms.

Cross-references

• qualifies (model-proposed): The Privacy Policy, Community Guidelines and Additional Terms also govern your use of the Platform — The conflict rule limits how the incorporated Additional Terms operate: a specific Additional Term prevails over the Terms only for the services it covers.

Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · Restriction or exception

Paid or incentivized brand promotion must follow the Branded Content Policy and applicable disclosure rules

If you post content that promotes a third-party brand or its products or services in exchange for payment or any other incentive, you must comply with the Branded Content Policy and all applicable laws and guidelines, including with respect to disclosures. The Terms name the U.S. Federal Trade Commission’s Endorsement Guides as one such source; the word “including” means including but not limited to.

Supporting quotations

If you post content on the Platform that promotes a third-party brand or its products or services in exchange for payment or any other incentive, you must comply with the Branded Content Policy and all applicable laws and guidelines (including with respect to disclosures), including the U.S. Federal Trade Commission’s Endorsement Guides.

Where you post about a brand or its products or services in return for payment or any other incentive

This policy applies when you post content on the Platform that promotes a third-party brand or its products or services in exchange for payment or any other incentive.

In these Terms, “include” or “including” means “including but not limited to.”

Qualifications & exceptions

• Applies when you post content promoting a third-party brand, product or service in exchange for payment or any other incentive.

Not stated here

• The text of the Branded Content Policy is not supplied here, so this card cannot say what it requires.
• The Terms do not set out the content of the FTC Endorsement Guides or other applicable guidelines.

Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · Restriction or exception

AI Output comes “as is” without warranties, and you are responsible for your Input and use of Output

Output is provided “as is” and made available to you without any representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied. You are responsible for your Input and your use of Output and for all consequences. You understand that no contract or enforceable promise between you and TikTok USDS Joint Venture can be created or modified by any Output. A later part of the Terms, in the limitation of liability section, adds further generative AI disclaimers.

Supporting quotations

Output is provided "as is" and is made available to you without any representations or warranties of any kind, whether express or implied. You are responsible for your Input and your use of Output, and for all consequences resulting therefrom

You understand that no contract or enforceable promise between you and TikTok USDS Joint Venture can be created or modified by any Output

Qualifications & exceptions

• Output carries no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied.

Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · Restriction or exception

You agree not to use AI Input or Output in a way that violates the Terms, laws or others’ rights

You agree that you will not use, attempt to use, or help anyone else use or attempt to use, the Platform, including its generative AI-enabled features, in violation of the Terms. You also agree not to provide, create or otherwise use Input or Output in a way that violates the Terms, the Community Guidelines or other conditions or policies or any applicable laws, or that infringes, violates or misappropriates the rights of TikTok USDS Joint Venture, its users or any third party.

Supporting quotations

you agree that you will not use, attempt to use, or help anyone else use or attempt to use, the Platform, including its generative AI-enabled features, in violation of these Terms

Provide, create, or otherwise use Input or Output in a way that violates these Terms

or that infringes, violates or misappropriates the rights of TikTok USDS Joint Venture, our users, or any third party

Qualifications & exceptions

• Covers helping others and attempts, not only your own completed use.

Not stated here

• The text of the Community Guidelines is not supplied here.

Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · Restriction or exception

You may not use AI Input or Output to defraud, deceive, mislead or impersonate others

You agree not to provide, create or otherwise use Input or Output in a fraudulent manner or to deceive, mislead or impersonate others. A further item in the same list, on circumventing restrictions and safety measures, is covered separately.

Supporting quotations

Provide, create, or otherwise use Input or Output in a fraudulent manner or to deceive, mislead or impersonate others

Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · Restriction or exception

The Platform is provided “as is” with no guarantee it will be safe, secure, error-free or uninterrupted

The Platform is provided “as is.” TikTok and its affiliates make no guarantees that the Platform, including its generative AI-enabled features, will be safe, secure and free from errors, or that it will work without interruption, delay or defect.

Supporting quotations

The Platform is provided “as is.” We and our affiliates make no guarantees that the Platform, including its generative AI-enabled features, will be safe, secure, and free from errors, or that it will function without interruption, delay or defect.

Qualifications & exceptions

• Includes the generative AI-enabled features.

Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · Restriction or exception

TikTok, TT Commerce & Global Services and their affiliates disclaim all warranties, express or implied

To the maximum extent permitted by law, TikTok USDS Joint Venture, TT Commerce & Global Services (identified in section 3.1 as BD TikTok USA LLC) and each of their affiliates, officers, directors, employees, agents and advisors disclaim all warranties, express or implied. The Terms name the implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, title, validity, registrability and non-infringement, and any warranties arising from course of dealing or course of performance. “Including” means including but not limited to.

Supporting quotations

To the maximum extent permitted by law: We and TT COMMERCE & GLOBAL SERVICES, ALONG WITH EACH'S AFFILIATES, AND EACH OF THEIR RESPECTIVE OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS, AND ADVISORS, DISCLAIM ALL WARRANTIES, WHETHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, TITLE, VALIDITY, REGISTRABILITY, AND NON-INFRINGEMENT, AND ANY WARRANTIES ARISING FROM COURSE OF DEALING OR COURSE OF PERFORMANCE.

In these Terms, “include” or “including” means “including but not limited to.”

Qualifications & exceptions

• Applies to the maximum extent permitted by law.

Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · Restriction or exception

TikTok is not responsible for users’ content or conduct and has no obligation to pre-screen or monitor content

Users and others are solely responsible for their content and use of the Platform. TikTok says it is not responsible for users’ and others’ actions or conduct, on or off the Platform, and does not guarantee the accuracy, integrity, appropriateness or quality of content users share, which may include offensive, inappropriate, obscene, unlawful or otherwise objectionable content. You acknowledge that TikTok has no obligation to pre-screen, monitor, review or edit content posted by you or other users. This sits beside other sections that describe TikTok reviewing content and using moderators and automated tools, which are permissions rather than duties.

Supporting quotations

Users and others are solely responsible for their content and use of the Platform. We are not responsible for users’ and others’ actions or conduct (whether on or off the Platform) and we do not guarantee the accuracy, integrity, appropriateness, or quality, of any content that users and others share on the Platform (including offensive, inappropriate, obscene, unlawful, and other objectionable content).

You acknowledge that we have no obligation to pre-screen, monitor, review, or edit any content posted by you or other users on the Platform.

Qualifications & exceptions

• The paragraph opens with “To the maximum extent permitted by law”.

Cross-references

• contrast (model-proposed): You agree TikTok can use automated tools and human moderators to review Your Content and metadata — The Terms say TikTok has no obligation to pre-screen, monitor, review or edit content, while another section has you agree TikTok may use automated tools and human moderators to review Your Content; one disclaims a duty and the other grants permission.

Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · Restriction or exception

Generative AI features and Output carry no representations or warranties, and you bear the risk of using them

In addition to the general disclaimer, and to the maximum extent permitted by law, TikTok, TT Commerce & Global Services and their affiliates and personnel make no representations or warranties, express or implied, about your use of the generative AI-enabled features and Output. Use of Output and the AI features is at your own risk and you bear all consequences. TikTok does not endorse content in Output, and Output does not reflect its views. You are responsible for reviewing, verifying and deciding how to use Output, and should not rely on it as a source of truth, a substitute for professional advice, or to inform decisions about, for example, health, finance or law. The Terms say Output may be inaccurate, incomplete, misleading, objectionable, inappropriate, unlawful and unfit for a particular purpose, and that by using the Platform you recognize and assume this risk.

Supporting quotations

to the maximum extent permitted by law: WE AND TT COMMERCE & GLOBAL SERVICES, ALONG WITH EACH'S AFFILIATES, AND EACH OF THEIR RESPECTIVE OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS, AND ADVISORS, MAKE NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES, WHETHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, WITH RESPECT TO YOUR USE OF OUR GENERATIVE AI-ENABLED FEATURES AND OUTPUT.

Your use of Output, and of our generative AI-enabled features, is at your own risk, and to the maximum extent permitted by law, you bear all consequences of your use of Output.

you should not rely on Output as a source of truth or fact, as a substitute for professional advice, or to inform decisions related to e.g., health, finance, or law.

Output you generate may be inaccurate, incomplete, misleading, objectionable, inappropriate, unlawful, and unfit for a particular purpose, and by using the Platform, including its generative AI-enabled features, you recognize and assume this risk.

Output is provided "as is" and is made available to you without any representations or warranties of any kind, whether express or implied.

Qualifications & exceptions

• Applies to the maximum extent permitted by law.
• The examples of decisions (health, finance, law) are introduced by “e.g.”.

Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · Restriction or exception

TikTok disclaims liability for service changes, interruptions, unauthorized access, viruses and your password lapses

Except as required by applicable law, TikTok says it is not liable to you for loss or damage resulting from any changes it may make to the services, or any permanent or temporary interruption or cessation of the Platform or its features; your failure to keep your password or account details secure and confidential; any unauthorized access to or use of the Platform; or any viruses or malicious code transmitted to or through the Platform by a third party.

Supporting quotations

EXCEPT AS REQUIRED BY APPLICABLE LAW, WE SHALL NOT BE LIABLE TO YOU FOR ANY LOSS OR DAMAGE WHICH MAY BE INCURRED BY YOU AS A RESULT OF:

ANY CHANGES WHICH WE MAY MAKE TO THE SERVICES, OR FOR ANY PERMANENT OR TEMPORARY INTERRUPTION OR CESSATION IN THE PROVISION OF THE PLATFORM (OR ANY FEATURES WITHIN THE SERVICES)

YOUR FAILURE TO KEEP YOUR PASSWORD OR ACCOUNT DETAILS SECURE AND CONFIDENTIAL

ANY UNAUTHORIZED ACCESS TO OR USE OF THE PLATFORM

ANY VIRUSES OR MALICIOUS CODE TRANSMITTED TO OR THROUGH THE PLATFORM BY ANY THIRD PARTY

Qualifications & exceptions

• Except as required by applicable law.

Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · Restriction or exception

TikTok disclaims liability for advertising reliance, advertiser transactions and any content, including your use of it

Except as required by applicable law, TikTok says it is not liable to you for loss or damage resulting from your reliance on the completeness, accuracy or existence of any advertising, or from any relationship or transaction between you and an advertiser or sponsor whose advertising appears on the Platform; or from any content submitted by a user or by TikTok, including your use of content.

Supporting quotations

EXCEPT AS REQUIRED BY APPLICABLE LAW, WE SHALL NOT BE LIABLE TO YOU FOR ANY LOSS OR DAMAGE WHICH MAY BE INCURRED BY YOU AS A RESULT OF:

ANY RELIANCE PLACED BY YOU ON THE COMPLETENESS, ACCURACY OR EXISTENCE OF ANY ADVERTISING, OR AS A RESULT OF ANY RELATIONSHIP OR TRANSACTION BETWEEN YOU AND ANY ADVERTISER OR SPONSOR WHOSE ADVERTISING APPEARS ON THE PLATFORM

ANY CONTENT WHETHER SUBMITTED BY A USER OR TIKTOK USDS JOINT VENTURE, INCLUDING YOUR USE OF CONTENT

Qualifications & exceptions

• Except as required by applicable law.

Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · Restriction or exception

TikTok disclaims liability for platform errors, inaccurate Output and actions taken in reliance on Output

Except as required by applicable law, TikTok says it is not liable to you for loss or damage resulting from errors, mistakes or inaccuracies on the Platform, including Output that is inaccurate, incomplete, misleading, objectionable, inappropriate, unlawful or unfit for a particular purpose, or from any actions taken or not taken in reliance on Output.

Supporting quotations

EXCEPT AS REQUIRED BY APPLICABLE LAW, WE SHALL NOT BE LIABLE TO YOU FOR ANY LOSS OR DAMAGE WHICH MAY BE INCURRED BY YOU AS A RESULT OF:

ERRORS, MISTAKES, OR INACCURACIES ON THE PLATFORM, INCLUDING WITH RESPECT TO OUTPUT THAT IS INACCURATE, INCOMPLETE, MISLEADING, OBJECTIONABLE, INAPPROPRIATE, UNLAWFUL, OR UNFIT FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE

ANY ACTIONS TAKEN OR NOT TAKEN IN RELIANCE ON OUTPUT

Qualifications & exceptions

• Except as required by applicable law.

Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · Restriction or exception

TikTok disclaims liability for personal injury or property damage resulting from your use of the Platform

Except as required by applicable law, TikTok says it is not liable to you for loss or damage resulting from personal injury or property damage resulting from your use of the Platform.

Supporting quotations

EXCEPT AS REQUIRED BY APPLICABLE LAW, WE SHALL NOT BE LIABLE TO YOU FOR ANY LOSS OR DAMAGE WHICH MAY BE INCURRED BY YOU AS A RESULT OF:

PERSONAL INJURY OR PROPERTY DAMAGE RESULTING FROM YOUR USE OF THE PLATFORM

Qualifications & exceptions

• Except as required by applicable law.

Not stated here

• The Terms do not say which injuries or damage are required by law to remain TikTok’s responsibility.

Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · Restriction or exception

TikTok disclaims liability for account suspension or termination and for content removal, including through enforcement

Except as required by applicable law, TikTok says it is not liable to you for loss or damage resulting from suspension or termination of your account or the end of the relationship between you and TikTok, or from the removal or unavailability of any content, including due to enforcement of TikTok’s rules or compliance with court orders.

Supporting quotations

EXCEPT AS REQUIRED BY APPLICABLE LAW, WE SHALL NOT BE LIABLE TO YOU FOR ANY LOSS OR DAMAGE WHICH MAY BE INCURRED BY YOU AS A RESULT OF:

THE SUSPENSION OR TERMINATION OF YOUR ACCOUNT OR END OF RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN YOU AND US, AND/OR

THE REMOVAL OR UNAVAILABILITY OF ANY CONTENT, INCLUDING DUE TO ENFORCEMENT OF OUR RULES OR COMPLIANCE WITH COURT ORDERS.

Qualifications & exceptions

• Except as required by applicable law.

Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · Restriction or exception

TikTok and related parties exclude punitive, consequential, lost-profit and other types of damages

TikTok’s liability, and that of its affiliates and business partners, is limited to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law. Under no circumstance will TikTok USDS Joint Venture, its affiliates, service providers or business partners (including TT Commerce & Global Services and its affiliates) or their officers, directors, employees, agents or advisors be liable under the Terms, in tort (including negligence), contract or otherwise, for punitive, consequential, incidental, exemplary or special damages; damages not reasonably foreseeable when the Terms were entered into; damages based on lost profits, loss of reputation, diminution in value, loss of goodwill, loss of opportunity or loss of anticipated savings; loss or corruption of data you suffer; or indirect or consequential losses. This applies even if TikTok has been advised of the possibility of such damages.

Supporting quotations

Our liability and that of our affiliates and business partners shall be limited to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law.

Under no circumstance will TikTok USDS Joint Venture or our affiliates, service providers, or business partners, including TT Commerce & Global Services, and its affiliates, and each of their respective officers, directors, employees, agents, and advisors, be liable under these Terms, whether in an action in tort (including negligence) or contract or otherwise for any punitive, consequential, incidental, exemplary or special damages

or any damages based on lost profits (whether incurred directly or indirectly), loss of reputation or diminution in value, loss of goodwill, loss of opportunity, loss of anticipated savings, loss or corruption of data suffered by you, or indirect or consequential losses which may be incurred by you, even if TikTok USDS Joint Venture has been advised of the possibility of such damages.

Qualifications & exceptions

• Limited to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law.
• Applies even if TikTok USDS Joint Venture has been advised of the possibility of such damages.

Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · Context

TikTok says it seeks a safe experience but cannot guarantee everything on or integrated with the Platform is safe

The plain-language summary says TikTok will always seek to provide a great and safe user experience, but you take the Platform as it is. It cannot guarantee that everything on the Platform, including Output, or integrated with it, is safe and complies with its policies. The summary repeats that the Platform is provided “as is” and that by using it you agree TikTok’s liability is limited to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law.

Supporting quotations

We will always seek to provide you with a great and safe user experience, but you take the Platform as it is and understand that we cannot guarantee that everything that is on the Platform, including Output, or that integrates with it, is safe and complies with our policies.

by using the Platform, you agree that our liability is limited to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law

Qualifications & exceptions

• The commitment is to “seek” a safe experience, not to deliver one.

Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · Company commitment

TikTok may change the Terms and, unless law requires otherwise, will notify you of material changes before they apply

TikTok may change the Terms from time to time. Unless otherwise required by law, it will notify you of material changes and give you an opportunity to review them before they apply. Where urgent changes are needed, for example for security, safety, legal or regulatory reasons, it may not be able to give advance notice but says it will let you know as soon as it is reasonably able to do so.

Supporting quotations

We may make changes to these Terms from time to time.

Unless otherwise required by law, we will notify you of any material changes to these Terms and give you an opportunity to review them before they apply.

Where we need to make urgent changes, for example, for security, safety, legal or regulatory reasons, we may not be able to provide you with advance notice, but we will let you know as soon as we are reasonably able to do so.

Qualifications & exceptions

• Advance notice applies to material changes, unless otherwise required by law.
• Urgent changes may take effect without advance notice.

Not stated here

• The Terms do not say how notice is given or how long the review period is.

Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · Restriction or exception

Continuing to use the Platform after updated Terms take effect means you agree to be bound by them

You agree to regularly review the Terms to stay informed of changes, and to review them whenever you receive a notice that they have been updated. The “Last Updated” date reflects the effective date of the Terms. If you continue to use the Platform after updated Terms are in effect, you agree to be bound by them. Updated Terms supersede all prior versions unless a particular provision of the updated Terms states otherwise. TikTok suggests you print or save a local copy of the Terms for your records. The summary says that if you want to keep using the Platform after a change, you will need to agree to it.

Supporting quotations

You agree to regularly review the Terms to stay informed of the latest changes, and to review the Terms whenever you receive a notice from us that the Terms have been updated.

If you continue to use the Platform after any updated Terms are in effect, you agree to be bound by the updated Terms. Such Terms supersede all prior versions of the Terms unless a particular provision of the updated Terms states otherwise.

You should print off or save a local copy of the Terms for your records.

if you want to keep using the Platform, you will need to agree to the changes

Qualifications & exceptions

• Agreement to updated Terms is through continued use after they take effect.
• A provision of the updated Terms can state that it does not supersede prior versions.

Not stated here

• The Terms do not say how you would decline an update other than stopping use of the Platform.

Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · Restriction or exception

You must defend, indemnify and hold harmless TikTok, its affiliates, partners and personnel from claims tied to your use

You agree to defend, indemnify and hold harmless TikTok USDS Joint Venture and its affiliates, service providers and business partners, including TT Commerce & Global Services and its affiliates, and each of their officers, directors, employees, agents and advisors. The covered items are any and all claims, demands, damages, orders, awards, settlements, losses, liabilities and costs (including attorneys’ fees and other costs of defense or settlement) and expenses of every kind and character arising out of or relating to your use of the Platform under the Terms. The Terms say this includes a breach of your obligations, representations and warranties and any violation of export controls or economic sanctions laws of the United States, United Kingdom, European Union, Singapore or another applicable jurisdiction. The provision and your indemnification obligations survive termination of your relationship with TikTok and of the Terms.

Supporting quotations

You agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless TikTok USDS Joint Venture and our affiliates, service providers, and business partners, including TT Commerce & Global Services and its affiliates, and each of their respective officers, directors, employees, agents and advisors from any and all claims, demands, damages, injunctions, orders, awards, settlements, losses, liabilities, liens, encumbrances, causes of action, of every kind and character, costs (including attorneys’ fees and other costs of arbitration, litigation, defense, or settlement), and expenses arising out of or relating to your use of the Platform under these Terms

including a breach of your obligations, representations and warranties under these Terms, and any violation of export controls or economic sanctions laws of the United States, United Kingdom, European Union, Singapore, or any other applicable jurisdiction.

This provision and your indemnification obligations will survive any termination of your relationship with TikTok USDS Joint Venture and the expiration or termination of these Terms, by either party.

You agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless certain entities and individuals in accordance with the above.

in violation of export controls or economic sanctions laws of the United States, United Kingdom, European Union, Singapore, or any other applicable jurisdiction

In these Terms, “include” or “including” means “including but not limited to.”

Qualifications & exceptions

• Covers claims, losses and costs arising out of or relating to your use of the Platform under the Terms; “including” means including but not limited to, so breach and sanctions violations are examples.
• Survives termination of your relationship with TikTok USDS Joint Venture and expiration or termination of the Terms, by either party.

Not stated here

• The Terms do not state a monetary limit on your indemnity here, while section 4 limits TikTok’s liability.
• The indemnity mentions costs of arbitration and litigation, but these Terms contain no separate arbitration section; section 8.2 provides for court venues.

Cross-references

• contrast (model-proposed): Total liability is capped at the greater of $100 or what you paid TikTok in the past 12 months — TikTok’s own liability is capped at the greater of $100 or what you paid in 12 months, while your indemnity to TikTok and related parties covers any and all claims with no stated monetary limit.

Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · Procedure

Disputes must first go through an informal process: notice, 60 days to respond, then court action may be filed

Before either side files legal action, the party raising a dispute starts an informal process by notifying the other. The party that receives notice has 60 days to respond. If the dispute is not resolved after the response time has expired, or within 30 days after a response has been issued, whichever is earlier, either party may file legal action. Completing this process is a requirement before filing any legal action. You, TikTok USDS Joint Venture and TT Commerce & Global Services agree to make a good faith effort to resolve the dispute amicably first. In this section “we” and “us” include TikTok USDS Joint Venture, TT Commerce & Global Services, their parents, subsidiaries and affiliates, and their officers, directors, employees, agents and advisors. It applies to disputes relating to or arising out of the Terms or the Platform, regardless of when they arose or accrued.

Supporting quotations

If we have a dispute with you relating to or arising out of these Terms or the Platform, regardless of when the dispute may have arisen or accrued, we will first try and resolve it with you amicably. You agree to do the same for us; our parents, subsidiaries, and affiliates; and TT Commerce & Global Services.

In this section, (Section 8.1) the terms “TikTok USDS Joint Venture,” “we,” or “us” include TikTok USDS Joint Venture, TT Commerce & Global Services, each of their parents, subsidiaries, and affiliates, and each of their respective officers, directors, employees, agents and advisors.

The party raising a dispute will initiate this process by notifying the other. Whichever party receives the notice will have 60 days to respond. If the dispute has not been resolved after the response time has expired, or within 30 days after a response has been issued, whichever is earlier, either party may file legal action against the other. Engaging in this informal dispute resolution process is a requirement that must be completed before filing any legal action.

We hope we do not get into a dispute but, if we do, there are a couple of ways we can try to resolve it.

Qualifications & exceptions

• Covers disputes relating to or arising out of the Terms or the Platform, regardless of when the dispute arose or accrued.
• Section 8.1 reads “we” and “us” broadly to include related companies and personnel.

Not stated here

• The Terms do not say how notice must be delivered, what it must contain, or what counts as resolving the dispute.
• The sentence about timing (“after the response time has expired, or within 30 days after a response has been issued, whichever is earlier”) does not say how the dates work if no response is issued.

Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · Context

During the informal process, the statute of limitations and filing-fee deadlines are tolled

The Terms say that the statute of limitations and any filing-fee deadlines are tolled, meaning paused, while the parties engage in the informal dispute resolution process.

Supporting quotations

the statute of limitations and any filing fee deadlines shall be tolled while the parties engage in the informal dispute resolution process

Qualifications & exceptions

• Applies while the parties engage in the informal dispute resolution process.

Not stated here

• The Terms do not say whether the one-year period in section 8.3 is also paused during this process; they refer only to the statute of limitations and filing-fee deadlines.

Cross-references

• contrast (model-proposed): You and TikTok must start any proceeding within one year, or the claim is permanently barred — The informal process tolls the statute of limitations and filing-fee deadlines, while the one-year clause bars claims not started within one year of the event; the Terms do not say whether the tolling reaches the one-year period.

Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · Context

California law governs the Terms and any claims relating to them

The Terms, and any claims, causes of action or demands of any kind arising out of or relating to them, are governed by the laws of the State of California, without regard to conflict of law principles.

Supporting quotations

These Terms and any claims, causes of action, of any kind or character, or demand arising out of or relating to the Terms will be governed by the laws of the State of California, without regard to conflict of law principles.

Qualifications & exceptions

• Applies without regard to conflict of law principles.

Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · Restriction or exception

Disputes must be resolved only in Central District of California federal court or Los Angeles County Superior Court

Any claim, cause of action or dispute arising out of or relating to the Terms or the Platform must be resolved exclusively in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California or the Superior Court of the State of California, County of Los Angeles. This applies even if the dispute arose before you agreed to the Terms. You also agree to submit to the personal jurisdiction of either court for litigating such a claim.

Supporting quotations

Any claim, cause of action or dispute, arising out of or relating to these Terms or the Platform shall also be resolved exclusively in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California or the Superior Court of the State of California, County of Los Angeles, regardless of whether the claim, cause of action, or dispute arose prior to your agreement to these Terms. You also agree to submit to the personal jurisdiction of either of these courts for the purpose of litigating any such claim.

Qualifications & exceptions

• Applies regardless of whether the claim arose before your agreement to the Terms.

Not stated here

• The Terms do not say here whether small-claims or other court types are excluded.

Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · Restriction or exception

You and TikTok must start any proceeding within one year, or the claim is permanently barred

You and TikTok USDS Joint Venture agree that any proceeding or action about a dispute arising out of or related to the Terms or the Platform must be started within one year of the date of the event or facts giving rise to it. Otherwise you forever waive the right to pursue any claim or cause of action based on those events or facts, and the claim is permanently barred. The sentence is addressed to both parties but the waiver is stated in terms of what you waive.

Supporting quotations

YOU AND TIKTOK USDS JOINT VENTURE AGREE THAT YOU MUST INITIATE ANY PROCEEDING OR ACTION WITHIN ONE (1) YEAR OF THE DATE OF THE OCCURRENCE OF THE EVENT OR FACTS GIVING RISE TO A DISPUTE THAT IS ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THESE TERMS OR THE PLATFORM.

OTHERWISE, YOU FOREVER WAIVE THE RIGHT TO PURSUE ANY CLAIM OR CAUSE OF ACTION, OF ANY KIND OR CHARACTER, BASED ON SUCH EVENTS OR FACTS, AND SUCH CLAIM(S) OR CAUSE(S) OF ACTION ARE PERMANENTLY BARRED.

Qualifications & exceptions

• Applies to disputes arising out of or related to the Terms or the Platform.
• The one-year clock runs from the date of the occurrence of the event or facts.

Not stated here

• The Terms do not say whether the informal process in section 8.1 extends the one-year period; section 8.1 refers only to the statute of limitations and filing-fee deadlines.

Cross-references

• contrast (model-proposed): During the informal process, the statute of limitations and filing-fee deadlines are tolled — The informal process tolls the statute of limitations and filing-fee deadlines, while the one-year clause bars claims not started within one year of the event; the Terms do not say whether the tolling reaches the one-year period.

Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · Context

The Terms plus applicable Additional Terms are the whole agreement and replace prior TikTok Inc. terms

These Terms and any applicable Additional Terms are the whole legal agreement between you and TikTok USDS Joint Venture, govern your use of the Platform, and completely replace any prior terms of service between you and TikTok Inc. related to the Platform.

Supporting quotations

These Terms and any applicable Additional Terms described above are the whole legal agreement between you and TikTok USDS Joint Venture, govern your use of the Platform and completely replace any prior terms of service between you and TikTok Inc. related to the Platform.

Qualifications & exceptions

• Replaces prior terms of service between you and TikTok Inc. that relate to the Platform.

Not stated here

• The prior TikTok Inc. terms are not supplied here, so this card cannot say what changed.

Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · Permission or license

You cannot transfer or assign your rights under the Terms, but TikTok can freely assign its own without notice

Any rights and permissions granted in the Terms may not be transferred or assigned by you. TikTok’s rights and obligations under the Terms are freely assignable by TikTok, without any requirement to notify you or anyone else, in connection with a merger, acquisition, sale or disposition of assets, sale or transfer of equity (whether by direct or indirect ownership), or by operation of law or otherwise. The summary repeats that the Terms are assignable by TikTok.

Supporting quotations

Any rights and permissions granted in them, may not be transferred or assigned by you. Our rights and obligations under these Terms are freely assignable by us without any requirement to notify you or any third party, in connection with a merger, acquisition, sale or disposition of assets, sale or transfer of equity (whether by direct or indirect ownership) or by operation of law or otherwise.

These Terms are assignable by us.

Qualifications & exceptions

• TikTok’s assignment is described as “in connection with” listed transactions “or by operation of law or otherwise”, so the list is not limiting.
• No notice to you or any third party is required.

Not stated here

• The sentence on your restriction says rights and permissions “granted in them” without naming who received them; the Terms do not state whether this covers anything beyond rights granted to you.

Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · Context

Not enforcing a term is not a waiver, and an invalid provision is removed only as far as needed

If TikTok or you fail to enforce or insist on any provision of the Terms, that is not a waiver of any provision or right. If any portion of the Terms is found invalid or unenforceable, that provision is removed to the minimum extent required to make it enforceable under applicable law, and the remaining provisions continue with full force and effect. The summary says a dispute about one part does not change that both sides agree the rest of the Terms, as written, are the agreement.

Supporting quotations

Our or your failure to enforce any provision of these Terms will not be construed as a waiver of any provision or right.

If any portion of these Terms is found to be invalid or unenforceable, then the removal of that provision will be done to the minimum extent required to make it enforceable under applicable law and the remaining provisions will continue to have full force and effect.

Even if there is a dispute about one part of the Terms, this does not change that we both agree that the rest of these Terms, as written, are the agreement between us.

Qualifications & exceptions

• Removal of an invalid provision is limited to the minimum extent required.

Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · Context

In the Terms, “include” and “including” mean “including but not limited to”

The Terms define “include” and “including” to mean “including but not limited to.” Lists introduced by those words, such as examples of prohibited conduct, grounds for account action or kinds of damages, are examples rather than complete lists.

Supporting quotations

In these Terms, “include” or “including” means “including but not limited to.”

Qualifications & exceptions

• Applies wherever the Terms use “include” or “including”.

Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · Procedure

You can contact TikTok USDS Joint Venture, including about the Terms, through a linked form

The Terms say you can contact TikTok USDS Joint Venture, including to ask questions about the Terms, through a linked page. No postal or email address is given in this section.

Supporting quotations

You can contact us, including to ask questions about these Terms,

Not stated here

• The linked contact page is not supplied here, so this card cannot say what contact options it offers.

Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · Restriction or exception

The Terms and Community Guidelines apply to everyone and all content; you cannot interact with violating content

These Terms and the Community Guidelines apply to everyone and to all content on the Platform. If you want to use the Platform, you cannot create, post, share, link to or otherwise interact with content that violates them. The list that follows is introduced as examples: you must not use, or help anyone else use, the Platform to do the things listed in this section.

Supporting quotations

These Terms and our Community Guidelines, apply to everyone and to all content on the Platform. If you want to use the Platform, you can’t create, post, share, link to or otherwise interact with content in violation of them.

For example, you must not use, or help anyone else use, the Platform to:

make sure you follow the rules. If you see something that should not be on our Platform, please tell us.

Qualifications & exceptions

• The list of prohibited uses is introduced with “For example”, so it does not limit the general rule.

Not stated here

• The text of the linked Community Guidelines is not supplied here, so this card cannot say what they prohibit.

Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · Restriction or exception

You must not do anything misleading or harmful, or anything TikTok determines violates or risks violating applicable law

You must not use, or help anyone else use, the Platform to do anything misleading or harmful, or anything that TikTok determines violates or risks violating laws, regulations or requirements where you live or where TikTok operates. The Terms name anti-corruption, anti-money laundering, counter terrorist financing, import controls, export controls and economic sanctions laws as examples; “including” here means including but not limited to. The test for the legal limb is TikTok’s own determination.

Supporting quotations

do anything misleading or harmful

do anything that we determine violates or risks violating applicable laws, regulations, or requirements where you live or where we operate, including anti-corruption, anti-money laundering, counter terrorist financing, import controls, export controls, and economic sanctions laws or regulations

In these Terms, “include” or “including” means “including but not limited to.”

Qualifications & exceptions

• For the legal limb, the standard is what “we determine” violates or risks violating laws, not a court finding.
• The listed categories of law are examples, not a complete list.

Not stated here

• The Terms do not say how TikTok makes that determination or whether notice or a chance to respond is given.

Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · Restriction or exception

You must not submit appeals, reports, notices or complaints that are unfounded

You must not submit appeals, reports, notices or complaints which are unfounded. The Terms do not say who decides whether one is unfounded or what follows.

Supporting quotations

submit appeals, reports, notices or complaints which are unfounded

Not stated here

• The Terms do not say who decides that a report is unfounded or what the consequence is.
• Any policy that defines what is “unfounded” is not supplied here, so this card cannot say what counts as unfounded.

Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · Restriction or exception

You must not sell, transfer or export items where export controls or comprehensive sanctions apply

You must not sell, transfer, export, reexport, finance, order, buy, remove, conceal, store, use, loan, dispose of, transport, forward or otherwise service, in whole or in part, any technology, software, commodity or other item to any country or territory for which the United States, United Kingdom, European Union, Singapore or another applicable jurisdiction requires an export license, in violation of export control or sanctions laws. The same bar applies to any country or territory under comprehensive sanctions, called Embargoed Jurisdictions, which include but are not limited to Cuba, Iran, North Korea and the listed regions of Ukraine.

Supporting quotations

sell, transfer, export, reexport, finance, order, buy, remove, conceal, store, use, loan, dispose of, transport, forward, or otherwise service, in whole or in part, any technology, software, commodity, or other item:

to any country or territory for which the United States, United Kingdom, European Union, Singapore or any other applicable jurisdiction requires an export license, in violation of export controls or economic sanctions laws of the United States, United Kingdom, European Union, Singapore, or any other applicable jurisdiction

to any country or territory against which comprehensive sanctions are imposed, administered, implemented or enforced by any relevant government authority or regulatory body ("Embargoed Jurisdictions"). Embargoed Jurisdictions include, but are not limited to, Cuba, Iran, North Korea

Qualifications & exceptions

• The first limb applies only where an export license is required and the conduct violates export control or sanctions law.
• Embargoed Jurisdictions “include, but are not limited to” the named places.

Not stated here

• The Terms do not say how a user would be affected by a change in which jurisdictions are sanctioned.

Cross-references

• referred to by (model-proposed): You certify you are not in an embargoed country, on a sanctioned party list, or owned or controlled by a listed party — The certification speaks of an Embargoed Country while the export-restriction list defines Embargoed Jurisdictions; the Terms do not say the two terms are equivalent.

Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · Restriction or exception

You must not deal in items with sanctioned parties or anyone owned or controlled by, or acting for, them

The same list of dealings is also barred to anyone on any list of sanctioned parties issued and maintained by a relevant government authority or regulatory body, including the UN Security Council Consolidated Sanctions List, the EU Consolidated Financial Sanctions List and U.S. lists such as the OFAC Specially Designated Nationals list and the Commerce Department’s Denied Person’s, Military End-User and Entity Lists (together “Sanctioned Party Lists”). It also covers anyone owned, controlled or acting on behalf of such a party. The lists are examples (“including but not limited to”).

Supporting quotations

sell, transfer, export, reexport, finance, order, buy, remove, conceal, store, use, loan, dispose of, transport, forward, or otherwise service, in whole or in part, any technology, software, commodity, or other item:

to anyone on any list of sanctioned parties issued and maintained by any relevant government authority or regulatory body, including but not limited to the United Nations Security Council Consolidated Sanctions List

(collectively, "Sanctioned Party Lists"), or anyone owned, controlled, or acting on behalf of such a sanctioned party, or

Qualifications & exceptions

• Covers anyone owned or controlled by, or acting on behalf of, a sanctioned party.
• The named lists are examples, not a complete list.

Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · Restriction or exception

You must not deal in technology or other items in support of developing or producing weapons

The same list of dealings is barred when done in support of the development or production of any firearm or military weapon, which the Terms say includes chemical, biological or nuclear weapons and their means of delivery.

Supporting quotations

sell, transfer, export, reexport, finance, order, buy, remove, conceal, store, use, loan, dispose of, transport, forward, or otherwise service, in whole or in part, any technology, software, commodity, or other item:

in support of the development or production of any firearm or military weapon, which includes any chemical, biological, or nuclear weapon or their means of delivery.

Qualifications & exceptions

• Applies to the same dealings in technology, software, commodities or other items.

Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · Restriction or exception

You certify you are not in an embargoed country, on a sanctioned party list, or owned or controlled by a listed party

You certify that you are not located in, organized under the laws of, or ordinarily resident in an “Embargoed Country”, and that you are not designated on any Sanctioned Party Lists. The third item, about entities and organizations owned or controlled 50% or more, directly or indirectly, by or acting for a listed party, is worded in a way that is hard to parse. The earlier list defines “Embargoed Jurisdictions”, while this certification says “Embargoed Country”, a term this passage does not define separately.

Supporting quotations

In addition, you certify that you are not:

located in, organized under the laws of, or ordinarily resident in an Embargoed Country

designated on any Sanctioned Party Lists

if any entity or organization, directly or indirectly, 50% or more, owned or controlled by, or acting on behalf of any party on any Sanctioned Party Lists and your officers, directors, controlling shareholders, employees, and agents are not designated on Sanctioned Party Lists

Qualifications & exceptions

• The 50% ownership test appears only in the third item and is stated for entities or organizations.

Not stated here

• “Embargoed Country” is not defined; the Terms define “Embargoed Jurisdictions”, and the Terms do not say whether the two are meant to match.
• The third item’s sentence is ambiguous as written, so exactly who must not be designated (the entity, its officers, directors, shareholders, employees and agents) is not fully clear.

Cross-references

• refers to (model-proposed): You must not sell, transfer or export items where export controls or comprehensive sanctions apply — The certification speaks of an Embargoed Country while the export-restriction list defines Embargoed Jurisdictions; the Terms do not say the two terms are equivalent.