TikTok provides safety tools, settings and opt-in screens
TikTok says users can manage their experience through a safety toolkit that helps customize content preferences and account settings and manage interactions, and that for some content users will see opt-in screens or banners giving more context about a post. A Safety Center is also offered for extra support.
Opt-in screens or banners appear for some content only.
Not stated here
The linked toolkit, settings and Safety Center pages were not supplied.
Account & Service Control · Company commitment
Transparency, consistency and fairness, including appeals
TikTok says it wants everyone to know its rules and standards and how they are applied, aims to give clear notice, to apply policies consistently and to share enforcement efforts at its Transparency Center. It also says it is committed to being impartial and clear and to providing opportunities to appeal, while noting it evaluates millions of pieces of content each day. How an appeal works is not described in this principle.
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Supporting quotations
We seek to provide clear notice of our policies and practices, to apply them consistently, and to share our enforcement efforts
we’re committed to being impartial, clear, and providing opportunities to appeal
Not stated here
The appeal process itself is not described here; see the enforcement section of this document.
Account & Service Control · Company practice
Youth means people under 18; TikTok applies extra safeguards for them
TikTok says it is committed to a safe and positive experience for everyone, especially people under 18, and that “youth” or “young people” in these Guidelines means people under 18. For that age group it says it sets age limits for certain features (for example needing to be 16+ for videos to appear in the FYF or to use Direct Messages), uses more restrictive privacy settings by default for younger users, and limits content that may not be appropriate for people under 18 with content filters and other safeguards. The Age-Restricted sections later in the Guidelines describe that kind of content.
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Supporting quotations
This is who we mean when we refer to “youth” or “young people” in these Community Guidelines.
like needing to be 16+ for your videos to appear in the FYF, or to use Direct Messages
Limit content that may not be appropriate for people under 18
Qualifications & exceptions
Examples of age limits given are 16+ for FYF appearance and for Direct Messages; other features may have other limits that are not listed here.
Applies to people under 18.
Not stated here
The linked pages and settings named in this passage were not supplied, so their contents cannot be described here.
Which features beyond the two examples carry age limits is not listed in this passage.
Account & Service Control · Restriction or exception
Minimum age 13 to create an account, with local variations
A person must be at least 13 years old to create a TikTok account. In some places the minimum age may be different based on local laws. The passage does not list which places differ.
Details
Condition
at least 13 years old to create an account
Where
minimum age may differ in some places under local laws
Supporting quotations
You need to be at least 13 years old to create a TikTok account. In some places, the minimum age may be different based on local laws.
Qualifications & exceptions
The minimum may differ in some places based on local laws.
Not stated here
Which places have a different minimum age is not stated.
United States: children under the minimum age get a separate experience
In the United States, kids under the minimum required age get a separate TikTok experience with extra protections: restricting interactive features that let users engage directly with others (commenting, messaging, sharing their videos, maintaining an online profile), an FYF with content assessed as age-appropriate by Common Sense Networks, and a dedicated Privacy Policy. A new account created in the United States by someone under 13 automatically enters this experience.
Details
Where
United States
Condition
new account created by someone under 13
Supporting quotations
In the United States, kids under the minimum required age get a separate
Restricting interactive features that enable users to directly engage with others, such as commenting on content, messaging, sharing their videos, or maintaining an online profile
FYF with content that’s age-appropriate, as assessed by
A dedicated
If you create a new account in the United States and are under 13, you will automatically enter into this experience.
Qualifications & exceptions
Applies in the United States to accounts created by people under the minimum required age (under 13 is stated for new accounts).
Not stated here
The linked pages and settings named in this passage were not supplied, so their contents cannot be described here.
Suspected underage accounts are removed; feature access restricted; appeal and reporting exist
TikTok says it removes accounts when it believes the user is under the minimum age and, if it believes someone is not old enough for features with a minimum age requirement, restricts access to those features. A user whose account was removed by mistake can file an appeal, and anyone can report an account they believe belongs to someone too young, in the app or online. The standard is TikTok’s belief; the passage does not describe how it forms that belief.
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Supporting quotations
We remove accounts when we believe the user is under the minimum age required to have one.
If we believe someone isn’t old enough for features with a minimum age requirement, we’ll restrict their access to those features.
If your account was removed and you think it was a mistake, you can file an
Anyone can report an account they believe belongs to someone who’s too young to have an account
Qualifications & exceptions
Triggered by TikTok’s belief that the user is under the relevant minimum age.
Not stated here
The linked pages and settings named in this passage were not supplied, so their contents cannot be described here.
How TikTok decides it believes a user is too young is not described.
Cross-references
contrast (model-proposed): United States: children under the minimum age get a separate experience — One passage says U.S. accounts created by someone under 13 automatically enter a separate experience; the next says TikTok removes accounts when it believes the user is under the minimum age. The source does not say how the two fit together.
Account & Service Control · Restriction or exception
Parents posting children’s content must make clear the account belongs to an adult
Parents sometimes post content featuring their children. If a user does so, it needs to be clear that the account belongs to an adult; the bio, profile picture or username are given as good places to do this. The passage does not say what follows if it is not clear.
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Supporting quotations
If you do so, it needs to be clear that the account belongs to an adult.
The bio, profile picture, or username are good places to do this.
Qualifications & exceptions
Applies when a user posts content featuring their children.
Not stated here
Consequences of not making this clear are not stated here.
Account & Service Control · Context
Teen Safety Center and Guardian’s Guide are offered for more information
TikTok points to a Teen Safety Center and a Guardian’s Guide for more information. Neither resource was supplied, so their content is not described.
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Supporting quotations
Learn more at our
Not stated here
The Teen Safety Center and Guardian’s Guide pages were not supplied.
Account & Service Control · User right or choice
Users who think their intimate privacy was violated can report it
The abuse help lists in both the Youth Sexual and Physical Abuse and Adult Sexual Abuse sections tell users who think their intimate privacy has been violated on TikTok to report it through a linked reporting page. What happens after a report is not described here.
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Supporting quotations
If you think your intimate privacy has been violated on TikTok, report it to us
If you think your intimate privacy has been violated on TikTok, report it to us
Not stated here
The linked pages named in this passage were not supplied, so their contents cannot be described here.
How reports are handled is not described in this passage.
Account & Service Control · Restriction or exception
Government, politician and political party accounts are not allowed incentive programs or creator monetization
TikTok classifies eligible political accounts as Government, Politician, and Political Party Accounts and applies a set of policies that prevent the use of certain features. These accounts are not allowed to participate in incentive programs or creator monetization features. The paragraph that follows in the next part of the section also addresses paid political advertising.
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Supporting quotations
We classify eligible political TikTok accounts as
apply a set of policies that prevent the use of certain features
These accounts aren't allowed to participate in incentive programs or creator monetization features.
Qualifications & exceptions
Applies to eligible political accounts classified as Government, Politician and Political Party Accounts.
Not stated here
The linked pages named in this passage were not supplied, so their contents cannot be described here.
Which accounts count as eligible, and which other features the policies prevent, are not listed here.
Account & Service Control · Restriction or exception
Deceptive Behaviors: misleading or manipulative accounts not allowed; multiple accounts allowed if not deceptive
TikTok says authentic engagement is core to the experience and helps power recommendations. It does not allow accounts that mislead or try to manipulate the platform, or the trade of services that artificially boost engagement or trick the recommendation system, including covert influence operations, impersonation, spam, fake reviews and sharing hacked materials in harmful ways. Users can have multiple accounts, for example for fan content or creative expression, but not to deceive others or break the rules. If TikTok finds deceptive account behavior it may ban the account, ban additional or new accounts the user creates, or restrict the account, which could include limiting the ability to post new content or to appear in top search results or in the FYF.
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Supporting quotations
That’s why we don’t allow accounts that
or the trade of services that artificially boost engagement or trick the recommendation system
This includes behaviors like covert influence operations, impersonation, spam, fake reviews, and sharing hacked materials in harmful ways.
You can have multiple accounts—for example, for fan content or creative expression—but not to deceive others or break the rules.
Restrict your account, which could include limiting your ability to post new content, appear in top search results, or in the FYF
Qualifications & exceptions
The listed consequences are introduced by may, so they are possible, not automatic.
Multiple accounts are allowed unless used to deceive others or break the rules.
Not stated here
The linked pages named in this passage were not supplied, so their contents cannot be described here.
Account & Service Control · Restriction or exception
Automation tools and tricks to bypass systems prohibited; fake metrics removed
TikTok strictly prohibits automation tools, scripts or other tricks designed to bypass its systems, which can result in content removal, account bans or other enforcement. If an account is restricted or banned, the user may not create or use another account to get around it. If TikTok detects accounts or content with inauthentic metrics, it removes fake likes, followers or other inflated signals, and content that tries to manipulate people into giving gifts or inflating likes or follows is not eligible for the FYF.
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Supporting quotations
We strictly prohibit automation tools, scripts, or other tricks designed to bypass our systems.
If your account is restricted or banned, you may not create or use another account to get around it.
we’ll remove fake likes, followers, or other inflated signals
Content that tries to manipulate people into giving gifts or inflating likes or follows isn’t eligible for the FYF.
Qualifications & exceptions
Removal of fake signals applies when TikTok detects accounts or content with inauthentic metrics.
Account & Service Control · Restriction or exception
Deceptive behavior: circumvention of policies not allowed
Not allowed circumvention includes spreading violative content across multiple accounts, using a different account to continue violating policies after being banned, returning to TikTok after being permanently banned for severe violations, and using another account to avoid restrictions such as comment blocks or FYF-ineligible content restrictions.
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Supporting quotations
Circumvention of our policies, which includes:
Spreading violative content across multiple accounts
Using a different account to continue violating policies after being banned
Returning to TikTok after being permanently banned for
Using another account to avoid restrictions, such as comment blocks or FYF-ineligible content restrictions
Not stated here
The severe violations that lead to a permanent ban are described on a linked page that was not supplied here; the Accounts section of this document may address bans.
Account & Service Control · Restriction or exception
Accounts: minimum age 13 (some places differ); too-young accounts are banned
A user must be at least 13 years old to have a TikTok account, though some places have different age restrictions. In the U.S., kids under the minimum required age get a special TikTok experience with extra safety features, plus their own Privacy Policy. If TikTok finds that someone is too young to have an account, it will ban that account. The Youth Safety section says TikTok removes accounts when it believes the user is under the minimum age, and that U.S. accounts of people under 13 enter the separate experience; this Accounts passage mentions both the separate experience and a ban on too-young accounts without saying how they fit together.
Details
Condition
at least 13 years old
Where
some places have different age restrictions
Supporting quotations
You must be at least 13 years old to have a TikTok account, though some places have different age restrictions.
In the U.S., kids under the minimum required age get a
If we find that someone is too young to have an account, we will ban that account.
Qualifications & exceptions
The minimum age differs in some places; the U.S. under-minimum experience is a separate experience with extra safety features.
Not stated here
The source does not say how the U.S. separate experience for kids under the minimum age relates to banning an account found to be too young.
The linked pages named in this passage were not supplied, so their contents cannot be described here.
Account & Service Control · Company practice
Accounts: enforcement can mean a warning, restriction or ban; grounds for banning an account or user
If someone breaks the Community Guidelines, TikTok will take action, which can mean a warning, temporary feature or account restriction, or a full account ban, depending on what happened. In some cases users may be given the opportunity to complete optional policy training to restore full access. TikTok says it may ban an account or user for repeated rule violations, a single severe violation, trying to avoid enforcement, or running accounts dedicated to breaking the rules (the examples are spreading hate, unauthorized trading of regulated, prohibited or high-risk goods such as counterfeit goods, and inauthentic behavior such as pretending to be someone else). If someone seriously breaks the rules or tries to dodge enforcement, TikTok may ban all of their accounts, including associated accounts.
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Supporting quotations
We’ll also take action if someone breaks our Community Guidelines. That can mean a warning, temporary feature or account restriction, or a full account ban, depending on what happened.
In some cases, users may be given the opportunity to complete optional policy training to restore full access to the platform.
We may ban an account or user for:
Repeated rule violations
A single, severe violation
Trying to avoid enforcement
Running accounts that are dedicated to breaking the rules, like spreading hate, the unauthorized trading of regulated, prohibited (e.g. counterfeit), or high-risk goods, or inauthentic behavior (e.g. pretending to be someone else)
If someone seriously breaks the rules or tries to dodge enforcement, we may ban all of their accounts, including associated accounts.
Qualifications & exceptions
The outcome depends on what happened; policy training is offered only in some cases and is optional.
Banning all accounts, including associated accounts, applies to serious rule breaking or trying to dodge enforcement.
Not stated here
No fixed schedule or threshold for repeated violations is given.
Account & Service Control · Context
Accounts: severe violations
Severe violations include inciting or threatening serious violence when there is a credible risk of harm or danger to public safety; engaging in child sexual abuse, including sharing, helping others access or downloading CSAM, soliciting youth, or grooming; sharing graphic imagery of adult sexual abuse, including non-consensual acts or image-based abuse; and coordinating or facilitating human trafficking or smuggling. The list is introduced by include, so it is not stated to be complete.
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Supporting quotations
Severe violations include:
Inciting or threatening serious violence when there’s a credible risk of harm or danger to public safety
Engaging in child sexual abuse, including sharing, helping others access, or downloading
Sharing graphic imagery of adult sexual abuse, including non-consensual acts or image-based abuse
Coordinating or facilitating human trafficking or smuggling
Qualifications & exceptions
The list is not stated to be exhaustive.
Not stated here
The linked pages named in this passage were not supplied, so their contents cannot be described here.
Account & Service Control · Company practice
Accounts: egregious off-platform behavior may lead to restriction or ban; at-risk accounts may be suspended
TikTok may restrict or ban accounts belonging to people who have engaged in egregious off-platform behaviors when it has sufficient evidence to support enforcement. In assessing these cases it considers factors including the time since the act occurred, whether penalties have been served, efforts toward rehabilitation, and the potential impact on public interest discussion. Egregious off-platform behaviors include being a member of a violent or hateful organization, committing an act of sexual abuse against a youth or adult, promoting or engaging in severe violent crimes (like murder), and engaging in human trafficking. Separately, when TikTok receives a credible report that a user is at risk of harm off-platform and that a third party may access their account without permission, it may suspend or restrict access to the account to help protect the user and the community.
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Supporting quotations
We may also restrict or ban accounts belonging to people who have engaged in egregious off-platform behaviors, when we have sufficient evidence to support enforcement.
we consider several factors, including the time since the act occurred, whether penalties have been served, efforts toward rehabilitation, and the potential impact on public interest discussion
Egregious off-platform behaviors include:
Being a member of a
Committing an act of sexual abuse against a youth or adult
Promoting or engaging in severe violent crimes (like murder)
Engaging in human trafficking
When we receive a credible report that a user is at risk of harm off-platform and that a third party may access their account without their permission, we may suspend or restrict access to the account to help protect the user and our community.
Qualifications & exceptions
Off-platform enforcement needs sufficient evidence and consideration of listed factors.
The off-platform behaviors list is not stated to be exhaustive.
Suspension for at-risk accounts requires a credible report of off-platform harm risk and possible third-party access without permission.
Not stated here
The linked pages named in this passage were not supplied, so their contents cannot be described here.
Account & Service Control · Company practice
Accounts that post a lot of FYF-ineligible content may be made ineligible and harder to find
Sometimes accounts that do not break the rules still post a lot of content that is ineligible for the FYF. In those cases TikTok may make the account and its content ineligible for the FYF and harder to find. Links lead to more on account enforcement and how to report an account.
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Supporting quotations
accounts that don’t break the rules still post a lot of content that’s ineligible for the FYF
we may make the account and its content ineligible for the FYF and harder to find
Qualifications & exceptions
Applies to accounts that do not break the rules but post a lot of FYF-ineligible content.
Not stated here
The linked pages named in this passage were not supplied, so their contents cannot be described here.
How much content counts as a lot is not stated.
Account & Service Control · Restriction or exception
News and Government, Politician, and Political Party accounts: enforcement may differ
News and Government, Politician, and Political Party accounts can play important roles in civic processes. Their content must follow the same rules, but TikTok says it may handle account enforcement for them a little differently to support free expression and human rights. If one of these accounts posts a severe violation, TikTok may ban the account; for repeated but non-severe violations it may temporarily block their content from the FYF and from appearing in followers’ feeds and, in limited circumstances, also temporarily restrict the account from posting new content. News entities are organizations mainly focused on sharing news to inform or educate, and to qualify as a news account the account must be legally licensed, certified or recognized by an intergovernmental organization, regulator or reputable press organization. Governments and politicians include elected officials, candidates, government agencies, cabinet ministers and official spokespeople.
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Supporting quotations
Like everyone else, the content they post must follow our rules—but we may handle account enforcement for them a little differently
If one of these accounts posts something that is a severe violation, we may ban the account. For repeated, but non-severe violations, we may:
Temporarily block their content from the FYF and appearing in followers’ feeds
In limited circumstances, also temporarily restrict the account from posting new content
Organizations mainly focused on sharing news to inform or educate. To qualify as a news account, the account must be legally licensed, certified or recognized by an intergovernmental organization, regulator, or reputable press organization.
These include elected officials, candidates, government agencies, cabinet ministers, and official spokespeople.
Qualifications & exceptions
Different handling applies to repeated non-severe violations; severe violations may still lead to a ban.
News accounts must be legally licensed, certified or recognized to qualify.
Not stated here
The linked pages named in this passage were not supplied, so their contents cannot be described here.
The full details of how these accounts are handled are on a linked page that was not supplied.
Account & Service Control · Restriction or exception
TikTok LIVE: creators must keep a safe environment; sessions may be stopped; 18+ to go LIVE or send gifts
LIVE creators must maintain a safe environment. If a LIVE session includes content that violates TikTok’s policies, the session may be stopped and the creator could face temporary restrictions from going LIVE; repeated or serious violations, including attempts to bypass restrictions, may result in an account ban. A user must be 18 and older to go LIVE and to send gifts to a creator during a LIVE session. If a creator repeatedly shares content that falls short of FYF standards, TikTok may apply temporary restrictions such as restricting the visibility of LIVE sessions or the use of certain LIVE features, and LIVE sessions are restricted to 18 and older when they contain content or behavior not suitable for young people. Pretending to be someone else or streaming someone else’s content without permission may also lead to restrictions.
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Supporting quotations
must maintain a
If a LIVE session includes content that violates our policies, the session may be stopped, and the creator could face temporary restrictions from going LIVE.
Repeated or serious violations, including attempts to bypass restrictions, may result in an account ban.
You must be 18 and older to go LIVE and to send gifts to a creator during a LIVE session.
If a creator repeatedly shares content that falls short of our FYF standards, then we may apply temporary restrictions, such as restricting the visibility of LIVE sessions or the use of certain LIVE features.
LIVE sessions are also restricted to 18 and older when they contain content or behavior that isn't suitable for young people.
Pretending to be someone else or streaming someone else’s content without permission may also lead to restrictions.
Qualifications & exceptions
Consequences are stated as may or could; account bans are tied to repeated or serious violations.
Going LIVE and sending gifts both require being 18 and older.
Not stated here
The linked pages named in this passage were not supplied, so their contents cannot be described here.
Account & Service Control · Restriction or exception
LIVE: guests who break rules are removed; creators are responsible for third-party tools
In multi-guest LIVE sessions, if a guest shares anything that breaks the rules, they will be removed from the session, and the creator may lose access to guest features temporarily; in severe situations the room may be stopped. If a guest shares content that is FYF ineligible, the LIVE will be removed from the FYF. LIVE creators are responsible for anything that happens during their sessions, even when it involves third-party tools like voice-to-text software, real-time translation or on-screen comment displays; for example, if a voice-to-text tool reads out a harmful comment, the creator is still accountable for enabling that feature. Creators should actively monitor and manage any tools they use, and repeated issues related to third-party tools may lead to restrictions on using LIVE or LIVE features.
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Supporting quotations
if a guest shares anything that breaks the rules, they’ll be removed from the session, and the creator may lose access to guest features temporarily
In severe situations, the room may be stopped.
If a guest shares content that’s FYF ineligible, the LIVE will be removed from the FYF.
LIVE creators are responsible for anything that happens during their sessions—even when it involves third-party tools like voice-to-text software, real-time translation, or on-screen comment displays.
Repeated issues related to third-party tools may lead to restrictions on using LIVE or LIVE features.
Learn more about how to report a LIVE
Qualifications & exceptions
The creator is stated to be accountable even where a third-party tool produces the violation.
Not stated here
The linked pages named in this passage were not supplied, so their contents cannot be described here.
Account & Service Control · Company practice
External links: rule-breaking links removed; posting links may be stopped or accounts banned
If a link in a bio, profile or video breaks TikTok’s rules, TikTok will remove it. It may also temporarily stop the creator from posting links or, for severe violations, ban the account.
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Supporting quotations
If a link breaks our rules, we’ll remove it.
We may also temporarily stop you from posting links—or, for
ban your account
Qualifications & exceptions
Temporary stopping of link posting and account ban are stated as may; bans are tied to severe violations.
Not stated here
The linked pages named in this passage were not supplied, so their contents cannot be described here.
Account & Service Control · Restriction or exception
Direct Messages: must be 16 or older; violating messages removed; repeat or severe violations can lead to a ban
Direct messages (DMs) include private DMs and group chats and let users share videos and chat with one or more people; some businesses also use automated tools to reply to messages. A user must be 16 and older to use DMs. If a user violates the Not Allowed rules, the message will be removed and the user might be temporarily blocked from sending new ones; repeat or severe violations can result in an account ban. A link explains how to report a direct message.
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Supporting quotations
Direct messages (DMs) include private DMs and group chats.
Some businesses also use automated tools to reply to messages.
You must be 16 and older to use DMs.
If you violate "Not Allowed" rules, your message will be removed and you might be temporarily blocked from sending new ones.
Repeat or
can result in an account ban
Qualifications & exceptions
Temporary blocking is stated as might; bans are tied to repeat or severe violations.
The Youth Safety and Well-Being section also gives 16+ for Direct Messages as an example of a feature age limit.
Not stated here
The linked pages named in this passage were not supplied, so their contents cannot be described here.
How TikTok identifies messages that violate the Not Allowed rules, including whether it reviews private messages, is not described in this passage.
Account & Service Control · Company commitment
Notice: TikTok seeks to explain removals; bans appear in the app; restrictions appear in analytics
TikTok says it believes in fairness and consistency. If content breaks a rule, it seeks to explain why it was removed. If an account is banned, the user will see a message in the app. If content is made ineligible for the FYF or otherwise restricted, this information will appear in the TikTok analytics tool.
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Supporting quotations
If your content breaks a rule, we seek to explain to you why it was removed.
If your account is
you’ll see a message in the app
If your content is made ineligible for the FYF or otherwise restricted, this information will appear in the
Qualifications & exceptions
The explanation for removal is stated as TikTok seeking to provide it, not as a guarantee.
Not stated here
The linked pages named in this passage were not supplied, so their contents cannot be described here.
Account & Service Control · User right or choice
Appeals: banned accounts and removed or restricted content can be appealed; status visible in Safety Center
If an account was banned, or content was removed, made ineligible for the FYF, or otherwise restricted, and the user believes this was an error, the user may appeal the decision. Once an appeal is filed, the user can view its status in the in-app Safety Center, as well as the status of any reports the user has filed about other content or accounts. The passage does not state a deadline, review time or outcome standard for appeals.
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Supporting quotations
If your account was banned, or your content was removed, made ineligible for the FYF, or otherwise restricted, and you believe this was an error, you may
Once your appeal is filed, you can view its
in the in-app Safety Center, as well as the status of any reports you have filed about other content or accounts
Qualifications & exceptions
The user must believe the decision was an error.
Not stated here
The linked pages named in this passage were not supplied, so their contents cannot be described here.
Appeal deadlines, review times and outcome standards are not stated in this passage.