TikTok · TikTok Terms of Service · View original document ↗

User Likeness in Advertising

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Document Record

What it is

The terms authorize TikTok to use a user's name, profile image, and username in connection with advertisements, sponsored gifts, offers, and branded or sponsored content that the user interacts with, without providing compensation to the user, unless a separate commercial agreement governs a specific promotion.

This analysis describes what TikTok's agreement states, permits, or reserves. It does not constitute a legal determination about enforceability. Regulatory applicability and practical outcomes may vary by jurisdiction, enforcement context, and individual circumstances. Read our methodology

ConductAtlas Analysis

Why it matters (compliance & governance perspective)

This provision establishes that user interaction with sponsored content constitutes permission for TikTok to deploy that user's name, profile image, and username in advertising contexts without additional compensation. The scope of what constitutes an interaction with sponsored content is not precisely defined in this clause.

If You Do Nothing

The permission to use name, profile image, and username in advertising applies as written each time the user interacts with sponsored or branded content on the Platform.

Cross-platform context

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▸ View Original Clause Language DOCUMENT RECORD
"
We may receive compensation from our advertisers and our partners with which you choose to interact. To enable these features, you give us permission to use your name, profile image and username, in connection with ads, sponsored gifts, offers, and other branded or sponsored content that you interact with, without any compensation to you, unless we have entered into a separate commercial agreement with you with respect to a specific promotion or advertisement.

Excerpt from TikTok's Terms of Service

ConductAtlas Analysis

Institutional analysis (regulatory & governance intelligence)

(1) REGULATORY LANDSCAPE: The use of individual names, images, and likenesses in advertising without separate compensation engages right of publicity statutes in several U.S. states, including California Civil Code Section 3344, which requires written consent for commercial use of a person's likeness. The agreement asserts that continued Platform use constitutes such consent, but the enforceability of this consent mechanism may vary by jurisdiction. The FTC Act may also be relevant where the advertising use is not clearly disclosed to users. (2) GOVERNANCE EXPOSURE: Medium. State right of publicity laws, particularly in California, New York, and Illinois, impose specific requirements on commercial use of individual likenesses. The breadth of the permission as stated in the document and the absence of compensation may create exposure in jurisdictions with robust right of publicity frameworks. (3) JURISDICTION FLAGS: California, New York, and Illinois each have statutory right of publicity frameworks that may constrain the scope of likeness-in-advertising permissions granted through terms of service. Minors' likeness use may trigger additional protections under state law and COPPA. The provision does not distinguish between adult and minor users, which may create heightened exposure for TikTok regarding users under 18. (4) CONTRACT AND VENDOR IMPLICATIONS: Advertisers and brands purchasing TikTok advertising inventory that incorporates user likenesses should assess whether TikTok's asserted permission chain is sufficient to cover their use case under applicable right of publicity law. B2B contracts with TikTok for advertising services should address liability allocation if a right of publicity claim arises from the use of a specific user's likeness. (5) COMPLIANCE CONSIDERATIONS: Legal teams advising influencers or brand partners should flag that user interactions with sponsored content may result in the user's name and image being used in that brand's advertising without additional consent or compensation. Organizations managing branded content campaigns on TikTok should review the Branded Content Policy in conjunction with this provision to assess disclosure obligations.

Full institutional analysis

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Applicable agencies

  • FTC
    The FTC has jurisdiction over advertising practices and may evaluate whether the disclosure of likeness use in advertising contexts is adequate under the FTC Act's unfair or deceptive practices standards.
    File a complaint →
  • State AG
    State attorneys general in California, New York, Illinois, and other states with right of publicity statutes may evaluate the enforceability of likeness-in-advertising permissions granted through terms of service.
    File a complaint →

Applicable regulations

ePrivacy Directive
European Union

Provision details

Document information
Document
TikTok Terms of Service
Entity
TikTok
Document last updated
May 5, 2026
Tracking information
First tracked
July 16, 2026
Last verified
July 16, 2026
Record ID
CA-P-00032003
Document ID
CA-D-00032
Evidence Provenance
Source URL
Wayback Machine
Content hash (SHA-256)
b9bcf22b944881b93debda68965291dfa2a0073ab1e423138d7712a20e1c94a0
Analysis generated
July 16, 2026 01:53 UTC
Methodology
Evidence
✓ Snapshot stored   ✓ Hash verified
Citation Record
Entity: TikTok
Document: TikTok Terms of Service
Record ID: CA-P-00032003
Captured: 2026-07-16 01:53:00 UTC
SHA-256: b9bcf22b944881b9…
URL: https://conductatlas.com/platform/tiktok/tiktok-terms-of-service/user-likeness-in-advertising/
Accessed: July 23, 2026
Permanent archival reference. Stable identifier suitable for legal filings, compliance documentation, and research citation.
Classification
Severity
Medium
Categories

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does TikTok's User Likeness in Advertising clause do?

This provision establishes that user interaction with sponsored content constitutes permission for TikTok to deploy that user's name, profile image, and username in advertising contexts without additional compensation. The scope of what constitutes an interaction with sponsored content is not precisely defined in this clause.

Is ConductAtlas affiliated with TikTok?

No. ConductAtlas is an independent monitoring service. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by TikTok.