Terms of service

Official Terms of Service

Platform-Specific Service Terms

For users of our third-party integrated applications, please refer to the dedicated service terms below:

I. Agreement Effectiveness and Scope of Application

These Terms of Service (hereinafter referred to as the "Agreement") constitute a legally valid and effective agreement between you (hereinafter referred to as the "Developer") and TikTok (hereinafter referred to as the "Platform") regarding the application for and use of the TikTok API (including application programming interfaces, SDKs, related technical documentation, and tools, collectively referred to as the "API Services").

By submitting an API usage application through the Platform's Developer Portal, clicking to accept this Agreement, or actually using any API Services, the Developer is deemed to have fully read, understood, and agreed to all terms of this Agreement, as well as any supplementary rules and announcements subsequently issued by the Platform, which form an integral part of this Agreement .

The Platform reserves the right to modify this Agreement from time to time based on business development and regulatory updates. Modifications will be announced via the Developer Portal or notified via email, without the need for individual notification. If the Developer does not raise a written objection within 7 days after such announcement or notification, or continues to use the API Services, it will be deemed to have accepted the modified Agreement. If the Developer does not agree, it must immediately stop using the API Services .

II. Core Definitions

  • Developer: Refers to an enterprise or organization that has completed the Platform's developer account registration, passed qualification review, and develops applications based on the API Services (individual developers are only granted access to specific basic API permissions).

  • API Services: Refers to the programming interfaces, SDK tools, technical documentation, and related technical support provided by the Platform for application integration, including basic APIs and value-added APIs (which require separate application and authorization).

  • Key Information: Refers to access credentials such as Client Key, Client Secret, and App ID granted by the Platform to the Developer for authentication and API call authorization.

  • User Data: Refers to personal information, behavioral data, and related business data obtained through the API Services with user authorization (including but not limited to user nicknames, authorization behaviors, content interaction data, etc.).

  • Application: Software or services developed by the Developer based on the API Services for the purposes stipulated in this Agreement, categorized into self-use (only for the Developer's own business) and for-others (providing services to third parties).

III. Developer Eligibility Conditions

The Developer must submit authentic, legal, and complete qualification materials, including but not limited to business licenses, legal representative information, contact details, application functionality description, business scenario description, and software copyright certificate (if applicable) .

The Developer and its Application must meet the Platform's access standards, have no record of illegal or non-compliant activities, and not be listed on the Platform's restricted partnership list. The Application's purpose must be legal and compliant, and it must not be used for fraudulent, illegal promotional activities, data theft, or other non-compliant scenarios .

The Developer must commit to the authenticity and validity of the provided qualification materials and business information. If any information changes (e.g., company name, business scope), the Developer must update and resubmit for review via the Developer Portal within 3 business days .

The Platform has the right to conduct substantive reviews and random checks of the Developer's qualifications. It may reject or terminate API Service authorization for applications containing false information, invalid qualifications, or failing to meet access standards .

IV. API Usage Specifications

The Developer may only call APIs within the scope of approved permissions and must not use them beyond the authorized scope or scenario. Without the Platform's prior written consent, the Developer shall not transfer, lease, or share the API Services or Key Information with any third party .

The Developer must strictly adhere to API call specifications, including but not limited to call frequency limits, request format requirements, and parameter standards. Malicious volume scraping, high-frequency repeated calls, or other operations affecting the Platform's service stability are prohibited .

Application development must comply with the Platform's technical documentation requirements. The Developer must not reverse engineer, crack, or modify the APIs, nor bypass the Platform's authorization mechanisms or security protections .

If using value-added APIs (e.g., advertising API, business account management API), a separate application must be submitted and pass specific review processes, adhering to the corresponding supplementary terms .

The Developer is responsible for securely safeguarding Key Information. In case of leakage or misuse, the Developer must immediately notify the Platform and take remedial actions. The Developer shall bear losses resulting from improper safeguarding of keys .

V. Data Security and Compliance Requirements

The Developer must comply with global data privacy regulations (including but not limited to GDPR, CCPA, China's Personal Information Protection Law) and the Platform's data security rules, adhering to the "data minimization" principle by only collecting and using the minimum data necessary for the Application's functionality .

All data transmissions must be encrypted via HTTPS/TLS 1.2 or above. Sensitive data must be stored in a desensitized manner. The Developer must not leak, tamper with, sell, or misuse User Data, or use it for purposes beyond those agreed in this Agreement .

The Developer must provide clear authorization explanations and channels for permission withdrawal to users, supporting user queries, corrections, and deletion of their personal data within a response time not exceeding 15 business days .

If cross-border data transfer is involved, it must comply with the laws of the data origin and destination countries. The Developer must report to the Platform in advance, obtain necessary authorizations, and ensure the transfer process is secure and compliant .

The Developer must establish sound data security management systems and emergency response mechanisms, conducting regular security audits. In the event of a data breach or loss, the Platform must be notified within 24 hours, and effective measures must be taken to mitigate the impact .

VI. Content and Behavioral Compliance

Content published or disseminated by the Developer via the API (including advertising materials, product information, interactive content, etc.) must comply with TikTok's Community Guidelines, Advertising Policies, and relevant laws, and must not contain prohibited content .

E-commerce Applications must ensure product information is authentic and compliant, and must not promote counterfeit, inferior, or prohibited goods. Advertising materials must comply with Platform standards (e.g., clothing ads must clearly label sizes and avoid prohibited patterns) .

The Developer must not use the API Services to engage in the following activities:

  • Illegal crimes, false advertising, user fraud, or other activities violating laws and public order;

  • Malicious activities disrupting the normal operation of the TikTok platform or affecting user experience;

  • Infringing upon third-party intellectual property, portrait rights, privacy rights, or other legitimate rights and interests;

  • Other activities violating this Agreement or Platform rules .

VII. Rights and Obligations of Both Parties

(1) Platform's Rights and Obligations

The Platform has the right to monitor the Developer's API usage and Application operation, and may take measures such as warning, restricting calls, or suspending services upon detecting violations .

The Platform shall provide API technical documentation, basic technical support, and necessary fault diagnosis guidance to ensure the normal availability of API Services (excluding force majeure or Platform maintenance) .

The Platform has the right to upgrade API versions, optimize functions, or perform maintenance based on business needs, providing 7 days' advance notice via the Developer Portal. If upgrades affect existing functions, a reasonable transition plan will be provided .

The Platform respects the Developer's legitimate intellectual property rights and shall not disclose the Developer's trade secrets (unless required by law or agreed by the Developer) .

(2) Developer's Rights and Obligations

The Developer has the right to use the API Services, subject to compliance, and can request the agreed technical support and service guarantees from the Platform .

The Developer is solely responsible for the development, operation, and maintenance of its Application, ensuring its security and stability, and is liable for legal risks and user disputes arising from the Application's operation .

The Developer must cooperate with the Platform's compliance checks, security audits, and data verification requests, providing necessary technical documents, operational data, and relevant proof materials .

The Developer must pay applicable fees related to the API Services on time, according to the fee standards published by the Platform. The Platform has the right to suspend or terminate API Services for overdue payments .

VIII. Intellectual Property

All intellectual property rights in the API Services (including technical documentation, SDK tools, interface specifications, etc.) belong to the Platform. The Developer only obtains a limited right to use and shall not claim any intellectual property rights .

Intellectual property rights to the Application and original成果 created by the Developer based on the API Services belong to the Developer, provided they do not infringe upon the legitimate rights and interests of the Platform or any third party .

The Developer must not use the Platform's trademarks, logos, or other intellectual property for commercial promotion or other unauthorized purposes, and must not imply an official partnership with the Platform .

IX. Liability for Breach

If the Developer violates this Agreement (including but not limited to qualification fraud, exceeding API usage scope, data leakage, non-compliant operation, etc.), the Platform has the right to take measures such as warning, restricting API call permissions, suspending API Services, or terminating this Agreement based on the severity of the case .

If the Developer's violation causes losses to the Platform or a third party, the Developer shall bear full compensation liability (including but not limited to economic losses, legal fees, litigation costs, etc.). If suspected of illegal crime, the matter will be referred to judicial authorities .

If the Platform suspends API Services due to force majeure, system maintenance, or legal changes, it shall provide advance notice and endeavor to minimize impact, and shall not be liable for breach; except where service interruption results from the Platform's intentional misconduct or gross negligence, in which case liability shall be borne according to the actual circumstances .

X. Agreement Modification and Termination

This Agreement takes effect upon acceptance by the Developer and remains valid until the cooperation is terminated by either party or the Platform terminates the API Services .

The Developer may terminate this Agreement by submitting a written request to the Platform 30 days in advance. After termination, the Developer must immediately stop using the API Services, destroy Key Information, delete or anonymize obtained User Data, and cooperate with the Platform's compliance review .

Sections on confidentiality, intellectual property protection, and liability for breach shall survive termination until the relevant obligations are fulfilled .

XI. Dispute Resolution

The execution, performance, interpretation, and dispute resolution of this Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the People's Republic of China (if the Developer is located outside China, the laws of the mutually agreed jurisdiction shall apply) .

Any dispute arising from this Agreement shall first be resolved through friendly negotiation. If negotiation fails, either party has the right to file a lawsuit with the competent people's court in the location of the Platform .

XII. Miscellaneous

Supplementary rules, API documentation, announcements, etc., issued by the Platform form part of this Agreement and have the same legal effect .

If the Developer has questions regarding this Agreement, it may consult customer service via the Developer Portal. Violations can be reported to the Platform .

Matters not covered herein shall be handled according to the relevant rules published by the Platform. In case of conflict between such rules and this Agreement, this Agreement shall prevail .