TikTok Inc. - Los Angeles, CA

Gary Fox

Visiting TikTok’s Los Angeles headquarters was an unforgettable experience. The office space is modern, vibrant, and creatively inspiring, reflecting the platform’s innovative spirit. The staff is welcoming, professional, and passionate about their work, making the environment both dynamic and collaborative. The facilities are top-notch, with comfortable workspaces, great amenities, and a clear focus on fostering creativity and teamwork. It’s evident that TikTok values its employees and visitors, creating an inclusive atmosphere that encourages innovation and connection. Truly a remarkable space that embodies the energy of the platform!

Wout Ocean

Like thousands of other online reviewers, my account was permanently banned solely by an algorithmic error. I truly did nothing wrong. I have always read, understood and followed all community guidelines. I'm actually a Christian and live with as much love and honor as I can. And in this case, I thought it would be easily resolved. In fact, I'm actually 100% confident there was an error. Why? Well, because my new account had zero posts, zero content, no hashtags, nothing; I couldn't even follow anyone and had no followers. I could only just open the App. After about a week of these frustrating and arbitrary limitations on my absolutely brand new account, randomly one day I was automatically logged out and the window said I was permanently banned. There were no warnings, no communication, and of course still with zero content!!! So here's the logic: How could I have done something wrong if I had no content, and could never actually us the App? That reasoning is very clear to me, and should be to any rational person, so I thought I had a good case. haha. I wrote into TikTok twelve times via every suggested avenue of recourse, carefully explaining the ridiculous situation each time, but have only yet received automated messages, and their mistake still remains: I still cannot access my new account or create any others simply because of their error. It is difficult because I need to do so for my small business.

Please be aware, this erroneous permanent ban is actually a very common bug that has been affecting many users. TikTok is aware of this issue, but still has yet to address it and/ or provide a real method of resolution (see further herein). Please understand, the ban is only from faulty programming. Humans do not have oversight in the moderation, and there is currently no amelioration process available in these cases; it's simply automated messages. Essentially, once the algorithm falsely bans you, you are permanently 'guilty' without evidence, and without trial, all at the hands of a computer.

Please be advised that TikTok commonly responds you can 'appeal' this decision, but that is dishonest, and here is why: The feedback submitted via the App is only used as data collection and otherwise ignored. There is truly no further way to contact them. For example, if you submit there was a bug on the online form, they simply send an automated message circling you back to write in via the App (but you can't use the App because you're logged out, and they don't respond to the initial feedback). If you write that your account was banned by mistake, they will send an automated message saying after 'further review', the ban still stands. They do not have an active email; it's all automated. It's a permanent sentence based on faulty programming. Their initial error is sited each time, infinitely retaining you in their false feedback loop.

As evidenced by many complaints here and online, TikTok needs to: (1) Update their banning algorithm and overall permanent ban process, (2) Mandate that written warnings are required before permanent bans, (3) Require real humans review disputed cases to ensure there are less erroneous bans, and to curtail this systemic ban bug, (4) Actually read and respond to users comments who write in online when they cannot log into their accounts, (5) Only use fair and proportionate bans and measures, (6) Employ and utilize real customer service humans, not faulty bots that don't actually help anyone, and can truly negatively impact people's lives.

TikTok, we expect better. You have the resources. Is it your goal to help us or exploit us? Your response to these false bans and how you conduct future relations will continue to reveal your true intentions. As of now, most people can see you are here to cause more harm than good. What will you do now? Will you take the small amount of time to improve? Or will you continue to do nothing, and hubristically hold your computers as infallible, allowing innocent users to be hurt? It's up to you to decide. Human or not human; the modern question.

Puppylover77

Yesterday on March 18, 2024 I was permanently suspended for violation of the safety and civility guidelines. I have never wished harm on anyone nor did I promote it. If it was one of my posts then I should have gotten a warning or it being taken down but I have not word of it up until yesterday with the ban notification. I hadn't posted anything recently and the last time I did post something was last month. I hope this that bug that everyone is talking about because I have had that account since I got the app 3 years ago. ?

chastity martinez

My account got banned and I have no idea why! I tried to watch a video one day and my account automatically went to a message that states “your appeal has been submitted””well notify you by email or inbox notification in the app as soon as we have an update”. “You can also download your data” notification and then logs me out as soon as I hit dismiss the notification. I can not even check if there is a notification from them in the app since it automatically kicks me out every time I try to log in! I have down loaded my data and have sent multiple tickets asking how to get my account back since I had not broke any policy rules. Customer service is non-existent! I can’t create a new account either, because my “banned/suspended” account is linked to my phone number. How long does it take to review an appeal that I didn’t even know I submitted or to even get acknowledged of an open ticket!? It’s been 3 1/2 weeks since my account got suspended/banned. I tried to log into my account again and now I get the notification of “appeal deadline passed” “ you can no longer appeal this decision because the appeal deadline has passed” it only gives me the option to dismiss and once I click dismiss I get automatically logged out as previously with the the appeal submitted notification! I am extremely disappointed with TikTok and the customer service!

Alex Vasquez

I had deleted TikTok for a bit last year(don’t remember exactly how long) I had finally decided to download it again and go back to my account, only to find that it was completely different. I can’t find my old account anymore and i’m frustrated and sad. However if i search up my old account it is still there which gives me hope that I can recover it back again or receive it somehow.

PLEASE PLEASE reach back to me and help me!

- Thank you

L

Terrible company for accusing people of violation with no explanation or support team or customer service.
TikTok shop SUPPORT BLOCKED MY EMAIL address. AND WILL NOT HELP. Brand new seller account BLOCKED DAY 1!!!!! DO NOT USE TIKTOK and or SHOP SELLER Account.
Permanently banning certain citizens from using your app will cost you and I can’t wait. Terrible company. Have proof they blocked it.

Nubia Bluprint

After spending 3 years building my account, they banned me. They first suspended my live access, and then restored it after finding no violations. Then they banned it again literally 30 minutes later. Here’s the kicker, it was the SAME topic. I finally found my purpose and was going to start a small business making t-shirts but THEY TOOK THAT FROM ME!!!! They flagged me several times for no reason! And would take weeks to respond.sometimes they would close my tickets without resolution. I feel targeted and I am actively looking for a lawyer.

HG Profit

Unfortunate Experience on TikTok Live: Harassment and Unfair Ban

As an avid user of TikTok, I have enjoyed exploring the platform's creative content and engaging with a diverse community. However, my recent experience with TikTok Live left me disappointed and frustrated due to the lack of effective moderation and an unfair ban.

I recently went live on TikTok to promote my new song, intending to connect with my followers and share my passion for music. Unfortunately, during the live session, I encountered a barrage of offensive comments and harassment from certain users. This behavior was not only hurtful but also disruptive to the intended purpose of the live session.

Feeling the need to defend myself against the offensive remarks, I responded to one comment in an attempt to address the issue. However, instead of providing a safe environment for users, TikTok's response was swift and severe. I was immediately banned and reported, without any consideration for the context or the fact that I was merely standing up against harassment.

This unjust ban not only resulted in the abrupt termination of my live session but also meant that I lost the money I had paid for the live promotion. This financial loss adds insult to injury, as I had invested in TikTok's paid services with the expectation of a fair and supportive platform.

While TikTok has been praised for its entertainment value and viral trends, this incident has revealed a concerning flaw in its moderation system. The platform's failure to address harassment effectively and the disproportionate response in banning users undermines the sense of safety and fairness that should be the cornerstone of any social media platform.

To improve the overall user experience, TikTok needs to prioritize developing more robust and efficient moderation mechanisms. Implementing stricter measures against harassers and providing clearer guidelines for user conduct would be a step in the right direction. Additionally, the platform should ensure that bans and penalties are proportionate and take into account the context of the situation.

While I acknowledge that TikTok has its merits and countless users have positive experiences, it is disheartening to encounter such inadequate support when faced with harassment. As an artist trying to promote my work, I expected better from a platform as popular as TikTok.

Ultimately, my disappointing experience on TikTok Live should serve as a reminder for the platform to strengthen its approach to moderation, providing a safer and fairer environment for all users.