Overview
When a TikTok account is blocked, painstakingly built reach is lost in an instant: no more access to videos and followers, creator earnings cut off, a blocked TikTok Shop or a deactivated ad account. TikTok usually justifies the block with nothing more than a blanket reference to a violation of its “Community Guidelines”. But TikTok may not block accounts without due process – reinstatement can be enforced.
Whether it is a private profile, a monetised creator account, a TikTok Shop account or an ad account: behind a block there is frequently an algorithm, an abusive report by a third party or a hacked account. We enforce reinstatement – out of court through a firm attorney letter or, where necessary, in expedited court proceedings.
Account blocked? We get your access back.
The earlier we step in, the better the prospects. We review your block, demand reinstatement from TikTok and, in urgent cases, take the matter to court – 7 days a week.
We help when …
- your TikTok account has been blocked, banned or permanently deactivated,
- your creator account, including monetisation, is locked,
- your TikTok Shop or your ad account has been blocked without any comprehensible reason,
- earnings from Creator Rewards or the Shop are being withheld,
- the block is based on a third-party complaint or an IP report,
- your account was hacked and subsequently blocked by TikTok.
Why TikTok blocks accounts
TikTok usually blocks accounts over actual or alleged violations of its Community Guidelines, its Shop policies or its advertising policies. The decision is regularly made by an automated system – with a correspondingly high error rate. Common triggers are alleged copyright or trademark infringements (for instance through music or brand mentions), the accusation of “inauthentic behaviour”, coordinated reports by competitors or third parties, suspicious activity following a hack, objections relating to the Shop or ad account, and doubts about age or identity. The true reason is often stated by TikTok only in the most general terms.
Your rights against TikTok
There is a user contract between you and TikTok. From it follows a claim to the provision of the agreed service – and thus to the reinstatement of an account that has been blocked without justification. The decisive point: TikTok may not simply block accounts without due process.
The German Federal Court of Justice (BGH) has ruled with respect to social networks that their operators must inform users of the removal of content and of an intended account block, state the reason, and give them an opportunity to respond – followed by a fresh decision. These principles initially concerned Facebook, but the courts are applying them to platforms such as TikTok. Blocks imposed without these procedural rights can be challenged.
Case law · BGH, judgments of 29 July 2021 – III ZR 179/20 and III ZR 192/20
Social networks must hear users, state reasons and decide afresh
The Federal Court of Justice held Facebook’s removal and blocking clauses to be invalid: they lacked a procedure informing the user of the measure, stating the reason and allowing a response followed by a fresh decision. The courts apply this guiding principle to other social networks such as TikTok.
How we proceed
- Review. We analyse the stated reason for the block, TikTok’s notifications and the accounts affected (profile, creator account, Shop, ad account) and identify the viable claims.
- Out-of-court demand. We demand that TikTok reinstate the account, pointing to the missing procedural rights and duties to state reasons. A firm attorney letter is often all it takes.
- Court enforcement. If TikTok fails to act and damage is imminent, we apply for a preliminary injunction ordering reinstatement; otherwise we enforce the claim by bringing an action.
TikTok Shop, ad account and withheld earnings
For commercial users, a block is particularly damaging: a locked TikTok Shop halts sales, a deactivated ad account paralyses campaigns, and withheld earnings from Creator Rewards or the Shop put a strain on liquidity. Commercial users additionally benefit from the Platform-to-Business Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2019/1150) with its duties to state reasons and observe notice periods. Withheld payouts must be released to the extent that no legitimate security interest exists.
Fending off third-party complaints (trademark and copyright)
Where the block is based on a copyright or trademark complaint, we take direct action against it. What matters is what exactly was objected to and who filed the report. In the case of a trademark complaint, we examine whether the sign invoked is protectable and in force at all – a quick status and availability search is available at lhr-markenservice.de. We additionally counter abusive reports by competitors under unfair competition law.
EU requirements: the Digital Services Act (DSA)
As a very large online platform, TikTok is subject to the Digital Services Act (Regulation (EU) 2022/2065). For every block or removal of content, TikTok owes a specific, comprehensible statement of reasons, an effective internal complaint-handling system and access to out-of-court dispute settlement bodies. These obligations reinforce the contractual claims that exist in any event and the principles established by the BGH’s case law.
Our services
- Review of the block and identification of the actual reason behind it
- Out-of-court demand for reinstatement of the account, creator account, Shop or ad account
- Defence against unjustified copyright, trademark and competitor complaints
- Release of withheld earnings from Creator Rewards and the Shop
- Preliminary injunction ordering reinstatement where damage is imminent
- Action for reinstatement and for injunctive relief against renewed blocks
- Enforcement of damages for lost reach and revenue
We also help with account blocks on other platforms – for example: Amazon seller accounts, eBay seller accounts, frozen PayPal balances, Google Ads blocks and Facebook or Instagram accounts.
Frequently asked questions
Can TikTok simply block my account?
No. The user contract gives rise to a claim for reinstatement of an account blocked without justification. Under the principles developed by the German Federal Court of Justice for social networks, the operator must moreover inform the user of the measure, state the reason and allow the user to respond.
My creator account or TikTok Shop was blocked – does this apply there too?
Yes. The contractual reinstatement claim also covers creator accounts, Shop accounts and ad accounts. It is precisely here that the economic damage is often particularly high, which can justify expedited proceedings.
Can I recover withheld earnings?
Withheld payouts from Creator Rewards or the Shop must be released to the extent that no legitimate security interest exists. We enforce the payout.
How quickly will I get my account back?
A firm attorney letter is often all it takes. Where substantial damage is imminent, reinstatement can be accelerated by way of a preliminary injunction.
My account was hacked and then blocked – what can I do?
The reinstatement claim exists in this case as well. We demonstrate that you were not responsible and demand reactivation as well as measures to secure the account.
Will I be awarded damages?
Where a block was unjustified, claims for damages may arise – for instance for lost reach, withheld earnings and lost revenue. We assess and quantify your claims.
Conclusion
A TikTok block is not a permanent loss. The contractual reinstatement claim, the procedural rights required by the Federal Court of Justice and the DSA’s duties to state reasons give affected users effective levers – supplemented, for commercial use, by the P2B Regulation. What matters is swift, determined action, out of court and, where time is of the essence, by way of a preliminary injunction.
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