TikTok - Videos, Shop & LIVE

"We collect certain information about the device you use to access the Platform, such as your IP address, user agent, mobile carrier, time zone settings, identifiers for advertising purposes, model of your device, the device system, network type, your screen resolution and operating system, app and file names and types, keystroke patterns or rhythms, battery state, audio settings and connected audio devices. We may access content, including text, images, and video, found in your device's clipboard, with your permission."

TikTok collects keystroke patterns, clipboard contents, battery state, app/file names, connected audio devices, and advertising identifiers — far beyond what a video-sharing app requires for core functionality.

"We collect information about your approximate location, including location information based on your SIM card and/or IP address. With your permission, we may also collect precise location data (such as GPS). In addition, we collect location information (such as tourist attractions, shops, or other points of interest) if you choose to add location information to your User Content."

TikTok collects location through multiple methods including SIM card, IP address, and GPS, and also infers location from user content metadata.

"We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we update the Privacy Policy, we will notify you by updating the "Last Updated" date at the top of this policy and posting the new Privacy Policy or providing any other notice required by applicable law. Your continued access to or use of the Platform after the date of the updated policy constitutes your acceptance of the updated policy."

TikTok can change the privacy policy unilaterally with minimal notice, and continued use is deemed acceptance — users must actively stop using the platform to reject changes.

"We may also share your information with other members, subsidiaries, or affiliates of our corporate group, including to provide the Platform, to improve and optimise the Platform, to prevent illegal use and to support users. Advertisers, publishers, and measurement and other partners share information with us about you and the actions you have taken outside of the Platform, such as your activities on other websites and apps or in stores, including the products or services you purchased, online or in person."

TikTok shares data broadly across its corporate group and with advertisers, measurement partners, and business partners, creating an extensive data-sharing ecosystem around user information.

"We retain information for as long as necessary to provide the Platform and for the other purposes set out in this Privacy Policy. We also retain information when necessary to comply with contractual and legal obligations, when we have a legitimate business interest to do so (such as improving and developing the Platform, and enhancing its safety, security and stability), and for the exercise or defence of legal claims."

Retention periods are vaguely defined with broad justifications like 'legitimate business interest,' and TikTok explicitly states it may keep data even after removing an account for policy violations.

"Where you log-in from multiple devices, we use your information such as your device IDs and user ID to identify your activity across devices. We may also associate you with information collected from devices other than those you use to log-in to the Platform. Advertisers, publishers, and measurement and other partners share information with us about you and the actions you have taken outside of the Platform, such as your activities on other websites and apps or in stores, including the products or services you purchased, online or in person."

TikTok links user activity across multiple devices, associates users with data from devices they don't even use to log in, and receives detailed off-platform activity data from advertising partners — building comprehensive cross-service profiles.

"If you violate our Terms of Service, Community Guidelines, or other conditions or policies, we may remove your account from the Platform or User Content from public view immediately, but may keep other information about you to process the violation. We retain information for as long as necessary to provide the Platform and for the other purposes set out in this Privacy Policy."

TikTok retains user data even after removing an account, with broad justifications for continued retention. The policy provides no clear timeline for when data is actually deleted after account closure.