User-Generated Content
BR
0
Not Available
EU
54
Deficient
UK
55
Deficient
Advertising
BR
0
Not Available
EU
68
Limited
UK
68
Limited
23 TikTok
TikTok’s data transparency is assessed through the platform’s Research API for UGC and the Commercial Content Library for advertising, both restricted to the EU and the UK, as Brazil is excluded due to geographic eligibility constraints. In Brazil, both frameworks fall into the Not Available band: the Research API is limited to researchers affiliated with institutions in the United States, the European Economic Area, the United Kingdom, or Switzerland, and the Commercial Content Library only covers ads served in the EU and the UK. In the EU and the UK, the Research API enables programmatic extraction of public video data and includes well-documented compliance features such as a public changelog, rate-limit disclosures, and AI-generated content labels. However, it does not offer a graphical interface for UGC data access, retrieval by individual author is unreliable, content language filtering is unavailable, and new videos may take up to 48 hours to be indexed. For advertising in the EU and the UK, the Commercial Content Library API provides programmatic access to both active and inactive ads for up to one year after their last delivery. Structured data extraction via the graphical interface is not supported. The library discloses advertiser and funder identities and delivery dates, but it does not include engagement metrics, advertiser verification status, AI disclosure data, audience demographics, or spending information. This model of selective transparency, in which access is conditioned on regulatory jurisdiction, is the defining limitation across both frameworks and substantially restricts access for the global majority.
23.1 Transparency Assessment
23.2 User-Generated Content
Coverage: BR, EU, UK
23.2.1 Special Criteria
23.2.1.1 UGC_SC1: Does the platform provide an API that enables the structured extraction of public user-generated content data for independent analysis?
| Region | Answer | Note |
|---|---|---|
| BR | ❌ No | - |
| EU | ✅ Yes, but only for approved researchers | TikTok provides a Research API that allows independent and academic researchers to access data. |
| UK | ✅ Yes, but only for approved researchers | TikTok provides a Research API that allows independent and academic researchers to access data. |
23.2.1.2 UGC_SC2: Can the full scope of public content data be extracted through the platform’s API?
| Region | Answer | Note |
|---|---|---|
| BR | ❌ No | - |
| EU | ✅ Yes, but only for approved researchers | In theory, it is possible to extract data from any public posts on TikTok. However, recent research has identified disparities in the data that can be reliably retrieved through the platform’s API. |
| UK | ✅ Yes, but only for approved researchers | In theory, it is possible to extract data from any public posts on TikTok. However, recent research has identified disparities in the data that can be reliably retrieved through the platform’s API. |
23.2.1.3 UGC_SC3: Is access to the platform’s API free of charge?
| Region | Answer | Note |
|---|---|---|
| BR | ❌ No | - |
| EU | ✅ Yes, but only for approved researchers | Once approved, researchers are not charged to use the TikTok Research API. |
| UK | ✅ Yes, but only for approved researchers | Once approved, researchers are not charged to use the TikTok Research API. |
23.2.1.4 UGC_SC4: Does the platform offer a graphical interface for extracting data?
| Region | Answer | Note |
|---|---|---|
| BR | ❌ No | - |
| EU | ❌ No | The platform does not provide a graphical interface for accessing or extracting public user-generated content data. |
| UK | ❌ No | The platform does not provide a graphical interface for accessing or extracting public user-generated content data. |
23.2.2 Accessibility
23.2.2.1 UGC_OC1: Can the requested data be extracted directly from the platform’s API response?
| Region | Answer | Note |
|---|---|---|
| BR | ❌ No | - |
| EU | ✅ Yes | During our tests, we were able to extract data from public user-generated content directly from the API response. |
| UK | ✅ Yes | During our tests, we were able to extract data from public user-generated content directly from the API response. |
23.2.2.2 UGC_OC2: Does the platform’s API support renewable authentication mechanisms without risk of data loss?
| Region | Answer | Note |
|---|---|---|
| BR | ❌ No | - |
| EU | ✅ Yes | The TikTok Research API issues access tokens that are valid for 7,200 seconds. However, token renewal does not interrupt data collection because the API relies on stateful pagination: the |
| UK | ✅ Yes | The TikTok Research API issues access tokens that are valid for 7,200 seconds. However, token renewal does not interrupt data collection because the API relies on stateful pagination: the |
23.2.2.3 UGC_OC3: Does the platform’s API offer an endpoint for extracting data from an individual publication?
| Region | Answer | Note |
|---|---|---|
| BR | ❌ No | - |
| EU | ✅ Yes | The |
| UK | ✅ Yes | The |
23.2.2.5 UGC_OC5: Does the platform’s API provide an endpoint for extracting data based on search terms?
| Region | Answer | Note |
|---|---|---|
| BR | ❌ No | - |
| EU | ✅ Yes | The |
| UK | ✅ Yes | The |
23.2.2.6 UGC_OC6: Does the API use locale-neutral data representations?
| Region | Answer | Note |
|---|---|---|
| BR | ❌ No | - |
| EU | ✅ Yes | Based on a review of the TikTok Research API documentation and our testing, the API uses a locale-neutral data representation. Time-related fields, such as the lower and upper bounds of video creation time, are provided in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). Numeric values, including follower counts, are returned as integers; time durations are expressed in Unix epoch format in seconds; and region codes follow the ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 standard. |
| UK | ✅ Yes | Based on a review of the TikTok Research API documentation and our testing, the API uses a locale-neutral data representation. Time-related fields, such as the lower and upper bounds of video creation time, are provided in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). Numeric values, including follower counts, are returned as integers; time durations are expressed in Unix epoch format in seconds; and region codes follow the ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 standard. |
23.2.3 Compliance
23.2.3.1 UGC_OC7: Does the platform implement a proper deprecation strategy to avoid breaking client applications while rolling out major changes in the API?
| Region | Answer | Note |
|---|---|---|
| BR | ❌ No | - |
| EU | ✅ Yes | The TikTok Research API documentation includes a dedicated section on migrating to the latest version of the API, as well as a changelog which includes changes to the API and deprecation notices including a timeline and migration instructions. |
| UK | ✅ Yes | The TikTok Research API documentation includes a dedicated section on migrating to the latest version of the API, as well as a changelog which includes changes to the API and deprecation notices including a timeline and migration instructions. |
23.2.3.2 UGC_OC8: Is the platform’s API documentation published in open access?
| Region | Answer | Note |
|---|---|---|
| BR | ❌ No | - |
| EU | ✅ Yes | The entirety of the TikTok Research API documentation is publicly accessible to anyone at the TikTok for Developers website. |
| UK | ✅ Yes | The entirety of the TikTok Research API documentation is publicly accessible to anyone at the TikTok for Developers website. |
23.2.3.3 UGC_OC9: Is the platform’s API documentation clearly written and exemplified?
| Region | Answer | Note |
|---|---|---|
| BR | ❌ No | - |
| EU | ✅ Yes | The TikTok Research API documentation is comprehensive and provides detailed explanations, endpoint descriptions, sample code and queries illustrating correct usage. |
| UK | ✅ Yes | The TikTok Research API documentation is comprehensive and provides detailed explanations, endpoint descriptions, sample code and queries illustrating correct usage. |
23.2.3.4 UGC_OC10: Does the platform’s documentation include or link to the API or data access terms of use?
| Region | Answer | Note |
|---|---|---|
| BR | ❌ No | - |
| EU | ✅ Yes | The TikTok Research API documentation links to the Developer Guidelines, which include the Developer Terms of Service. |
| UK | ✅ Yes | The TikTok Research API documentation links to the Developer Guidelines, which include the Developer Terms of Service. |
23.2.3.5 UGC_OC11: Does the platform’s API documentation detail the response format of each endpoint?
| Region | Answer | Note |
|---|---|---|
| BR | ❌ No | - |
| EU | ✅ Yes | For each endpoint, the TikTok Research API documentation clearly describes the response format, specifying the structure of the returned JSON, the possible fields, their data types, and provides an example at the bottom of the page. |
| UK | ✅ Yes | For each endpoint, the TikTok Research API documentation clearly describes the response format, specifying the structure of the returned JSON, the possible fields, their data types, and provides an example at the bottom of the page. |
23.2.3.6 UGC_OC12: Does the platform provide its API documentation in the official languages of the assessed region?
| Region | Answer | Note |
|---|---|---|
| BR | ❌ No | - |
| EU | ❌ No | The TikTok Research API documentation is only available in English. |
| UK | ✅ Yes | The TikTok Research API documentation is available in English. |
23.2.3.7 UGC_OC13: Does the platform’s API documentation detail the quota or rate limits applicable to each available endpoint?
| Region | Answer | Note |
|---|---|---|
| BR | ❌ No | - |
| EU | ✅ Yes | The TikTok Research API documentation specifies both rate limits and daily quota limits, detailing the number of requests allowed and the time window in which those limits apply. |
| UK | ✅ Yes | The TikTok Research API documentation specifies both rate limits and daily quota limits, detailing the number of requests allowed and the time window in which those limits apply. |
23.2.3.8 UGC_OC14: Does the platform provide a way to label content that has been generated with artificial intelligence?
| Region | Answer | Note |
|---|---|---|
| BR | ❌ No | - |
| EU | ✅ Yes | The TikTok Research API can return labels indicating whether content is “AI-Generated” or “Creator Labelled as AI-Generated”. The “AI-Generated” label refers to content that TikTok identifies as fully generated or significantly edited using AI, including cases where creators apply TikTok AI effects or upload AI-generated media with Content Credentials attached, a standard developed by the Coalition for Content Provenance and Authenticity (C2PA). |
| UK | ✅ Yes | The TikTok Research API can return labels indicating whether content is “AI-Generated” or “Creator Labelled as AI-Generated”. The “AI-Generated” label refers to content that TikTok identifies as fully generated or significantly edited using AI, including cases where creators apply TikTok AI effects or upload AI-generated media with Content Credentials attached, a standard developed by the Coalition for Content Provenance and Authenticity (C2PA). |
23.2.4 Completeness
23.2.4.1 UGC_OC15: Can data from a publication’s comments be extracted using the platform’s API?
| Region | Answer | Note |
|---|---|---|
| BR | ❌ No | - |
| EU | ✅ Yes | The TikTok Research API includes the endpoint |
| UK | ✅ Yes | The TikTok Research API includes the endpoint |
23.2.4.2 UGC_OC16: Can data from temporary content be extracted through the platform’s API?
| Region | Answer | Note |
|---|---|---|
| BR | ❌ No | - |
| EU | ❌ No | Although temporary content exists on TikTok, such as Stories, the Research API does not provide any endpoint or fields that allow this type of content to be extracted. |
| UK | ❌ No | Although temporary content exists on TikTok, such as Stories, the Research API does not provide any endpoint or fields that allow this type of content to be extracted. |
23.2.4.3 UGC_OC17: Can historical data be extracted through the platform’s API?
| Region | Answer | Note |
|---|---|---|
| BR | ❌ No | - |
| EU | ✅ Yes | Historical data can be queried through the TikTok Research API back to at least 2019. However, each query can cover a maximum time span of 30 days. |
| UK | ✅ Yes | Historical data can be queried through the TikTok Research API back to at least 2019. However, each query can cover a maximum time span of 30 days. |
23.2.4.4 UGC_OC18: Is the number of requests allowed by the API sufficient for monitoring more than 10,000 publications in 24 hours?
| Region | Answer | Note |
|---|---|---|
| BR | ❌ No | - |
| EU | ✅ Yes | Although we were not able to properly assess this item before our access to the TikTok Research API expired, the API documentation indicates that it is subject to a rate limit of 1,000 requests per day, corresponding to a maximum of 100,000 data records. This information has also been reported by other researchers. |
| UK | ✅ Yes | Although we were not able to properly assess this item before our access to the TikTok Research API expired, the API documentation indicates that it is subject to a rate limit of 1,000 requests per day, corresponding to a maximum of 100,000 data records. This information has also been reported by other researchers. |
23.2.5 Consistency
23.2.5.1 UGC_OC19: Are the results returned by the API consistently reproducible?
| Region | Answer | Note |
|---|---|---|
| BR | ❌ No | - |
| EU | ✅ Yes | Our tests show that data extracted from the TikTok Research API is consistently reproducible over time. |
| UK | ✅ Yes | Our tests show that data extracted from the TikTok Research API is consistently reproducible over time. |
23.2.5.2 UGC_OC20: Is the data returned by the platform’s API consistent with the parameters and filters used in the request?
| Region | Answer | Note |
|---|---|---|
| BR | ❌ No | - |
| EU | ✅ Yes | The TikTok Research API returns data that corresponds to the parameters and filters applied in the query. |
| UK | ✅ Yes | The TikTok Research API returns data that corresponds to the parameters and filters applied in the query. |
23.2.6 Relevance
23.2.6.1 UGC_OC21: Does the data extracted by the platform’s API reflect what is displayed on its user interface?
| Region | Answer | Note |
|---|---|---|
| BR | ❌ No | - |
| EU | ✅ Yes | Data extracted through the TikTok Research API reflects what is displayed on the platform’s user interface at the time of collection, meaning that key elements such as authorship, full content, interaction metrics, and referenced content are consistent with what users see. |
| UK | ✅ Yes | Data extracted through the TikTok Research API reflects what is displayed on the platform’s user interface at the time of collection, meaning that key elements such as authorship, full content, interaction metrics, and referenced content are consistent with what users see. |
23.2.6.3 UGC_OC23: Does the platform’s API allow for filtering data based on content language?
| Region | Answer | Note |
|---|---|---|
| BR | ❌ No | - |
| EU | ❌ No | The TikTok Research API does not support filtering data by content language. |
| UK | ❌ No | The TikTok Research API does not support filtering data by content language. |
23.2.6.4 UGC_OC24: Does the platform’s API allow for filtering data by specific time periods?
| Region | Answer | Note |
|---|---|---|
| BR | ❌ No | - |
| EU | ✅ Yes | The TikTok Research API supports filtering data by specific time periods. However, each request is limited to a maximum span of 30 days. |
| UK | ✅ Yes | The TikTok Research API supports filtering data by specific time periods. However, each request is limited to a maximum span of 30 days. |
23.2.7 Timeliness
23.2.7.1 UGC_OC25: Can data from newly published content be extracted from the platform’s API in near real time?
| Region | Answer | Note |
|---|---|---|
| BR | ❌ No | - |
| EU | ❌ No | The TikTok Research API does not support collecting data from specific content within one hour of publication. Instead, the Video Query endpoint searches the full archived dataset rather than the current live platform. According to the documentation, new videos may take up to 48 hours to be indexed, and metrics such as view counts and follower counts can take up to 10 days to update. |
| UK | ❌ No | The TikTok Research API does not support collecting data from specific content within one hour of publication. Instead, the Video Query endpoint searches the full archived dataset rather than the current live platform. According to the documentation, new videos may take up to 48 hours to be indexed, and metrics such as view counts and follower counts can take up to 10 days to update. |
23.3 Advertising
Coverage: BR, EU, UK
23.3.1 Special Criteria
23.3.1.1 AD_SC1: Does the platform provide an API to access its ad repository and extract data on advertising content for independent analysis?
| Region | Answer | Note |
|---|---|---|
| BR | ❌ No | - |
| EU | ✅ Yes, with full availability | The TikTok Commercial Content Library API allows approved researchers to extract structured data on ads published from October 1, 2022 onward. Ad data remains available for one year after the ad’s last delivery. Access is restricted and requires prior approval. |
| UK | ✅ Yes, with full availability | The TikTok Commercial Content Library API allows approved researchers to extract structured data on ads published from October 1, 2022 onward. Ad data remains available for one year after the ad’s last delivery. Access is restricted and requires prior approval. |
23.3.1.2 AD_SC2: Does the platform provide a graphical user interface to its ad repository for extracting advertising content data?
| Region | Answer | Note |
|---|---|---|
| BR | ❌ No | - |
| EU | ❌ No | Although TikTok maintains a public ads repository for content served to EU and UK-based users, the Commercial Content Library, it does not provide a way to extract data in a structured format, limiting access to viewing ad content only. |
| UK | ❌ No | Although TikTok maintains a public ads repository for content served to EU and UK-based users, the Commercial Content Library, it does not provide a way to extract data in a structured format, limiting access to viewing ad content only. |
23.3.1.3 AD_SC3: Can data from both active and inactive ads be extracted?
| Region | Answer | Note |
|---|---|---|
| BR | ❌ No | - |
| EU | ✅ Yes, with full availability | It is possible to access both active and inactive ads through the TikTok Commercial Content Library, for up to one year after an ad’s last delivery. However, there is no API parameter that allows ads to be filtered by active or inactive status. |
| UK | ✅ Yes, with full availability | It is possible to access both active and inactive ads through the TikTok Commercial Content Library, for up to one year after an ad’s last delivery. However, there is no API parameter that allows ads to be filtered by active or inactive status. |
23.3.2 Accessibility
23.3.2.1 AD_OC1: Does the platform provide a GUI for accessing and visualizing its ad repository?
| Region | Answer | Note |
|---|---|---|
| BR | ❌ No | - |
| EU | ✅ Yes, with full availability | The TikTok Commercial Content Library publicly provides, through its GUI, all ads served to users in the EU and the UK in the last year, both active and inactive. |
| UK | ✅ Yes, with full availability | The TikTok Commercial Content Library publicly provides, through its GUI, all ads served to users in the EU and the UK in the last year, both active and inactive. |
23.3.2.2 AD_OC2: Is access to the platform’s ad repository free of charge?
| Region | Answer | Note |
|---|---|---|
| BR | ❌ No | - |
| EU | ✅ Free API and GUI access | Both the TikTok Commercial Content Library GUI and API are publicly accessible. However, researchers must submit a request form explaining their intended use of the API and obtain platform approval before gaining access. |
| UK | ✅ Free API and GUI access | Both the TikTok Commercial Content Library GUI and API are publicly accessible. However, researchers must submit a request form explaining their intended use of the API and obtain platform approval before gaining access. |
23.3.2.3 AD_OC3: Can the requested data be extracted directly from the ad repository response?
| Region | Answer | Note |
|---|---|---|
| BR | ❌ No | - |
| EU | ❌ No | The TikTok Commercial Content API does not provide substantive data about ad content beyond a link to view the video in the Commercial Content Library GUI via a browser. As a result, it is not possible to extract descriptions of video-based ads through the API. Additionally, the Commercial Content Library GUI does not support structured data extraction, limiting access to viewing ad content only. |
| UK | ❌ No | The TikTok Commercial Content API does not provide substantive data about ad content beyond a link to view the video in the Commercial Content Library GUI via a browser. As a result, it is not possible to extract descriptions of video-based ads through the API. Additionally, the Commercial Content Library GUI does not support structured data extraction, limiting access to viewing ad content only. |
23.3.2.4 AD_OC4: Does the platform’s ad repository API provide a form of authentication that allows for renewal without the risk of data loss?
| Region | Answer | Note |
|---|---|---|
| BR | ❌ No | - |
| EU | ✅ Yes | To use the TikTok Commercial Content API, an access token is required. This token can be created using the client credentials. It expires after approximately two hours but can be easily refreshed programmatically without affecting data collection. |
| UK | ✅ Yes | To use the TikTok Commercial Content API, an access token is required. This token can be created using the client credentials. It expires after approximately two hours but can be easily refreshed programmatically without affecting data collection. |
23.3.2.5 AD_OC5: Can data from an individual ad be retrieved from the platform?
| Region | Answer | Note |
|---|---|---|
| BR | ❌ No | - |
| EU | ✅ Yes, through both GUI and API | It is possible to retrieve data for a specific ad through both the TikTok Commercial Content Library GUI and API. The API provides a |
| UK | ✅ Yes, through both GUI and API | It is possible to retrieve data for a specific ad through both the TikTok Commercial Content Library GUI and API. The API provides a |
23.3.2.6 AD_OC6: Can data from ads served by a specific advertiser be retrieved from the platform?
| Region | Answer | Note |
|---|---|---|
| BR | ❌ No | - |
| EU | ✅ Yes, through both GUI and API | The TikTok Commercial Content Library allows users to retrieve ads by selecting or specifying particular advertisers through both its GUI and API. |
| UK | ✅ Yes, through both GUI and API | The TikTok Commercial Content Library allows users to retrieve ads by selecting or specifying particular advertisers through both its GUI and API. |
23.3.2.7 AD_OC7: Can ad data be retrieved from the platform using search terms?
| Region | Answer | Note |
|---|---|---|
| BR | ❌ No | - |
| EU | ✅ Yes, through both GUI and API | The TikTok Commercial Content Library allows ads to be retrieved using search terms through both its GUI and API. |
| UK | ✅ Yes, through both GUI and API | The TikTok Commercial Content Library allows ads to be retrieved using search terms through both its GUI and API. |
23.3.2.8 AD_OC8: Does the platform use locale-neutral data representations?
| Region | Answer | Note |
|---|---|---|
| BR | ❌ No | - |
| EU | ✅ Yes, through both GUI and API | Country abbreviations are provided in a standardized format in both the TikTok Commercial Content Library API and GUI. In the API, date information is returned as a string containing the year, month, and day without separators. Although this representation complies with the basic rules of ISO 8601, it may not be supported by all parsers. |
| UK | ✅ Yes, through both GUI and API | Country abbreviations are provided in a standardized format in both the TikTok Commercial Content Library API and GUI. In the API, date information is returned as a string containing the year, month, and day without separators. Although this representation complies with the basic rules of ISO 8601, it may not be supported by all parsers. |
23.3.3 Completeness
23.3.3.1 AD_OC9: Does the platform provide data that allows the identification of advertisers who ran ads?
| Region | Answer | Note |
|---|---|---|
| BR | ❌ No | - |
| EU | ✅ Yes, through both GUI and API | Advertiser identities are disclosed in both the TikTok Commercial Content Library API and GUI. |
| UK | ✅ Yes, through both GUI and API | Advertiser identities are disclosed in both the TikTok Commercial Content Library API and GUI. |
23.3.3.2 AD_OC10: Does the platform provide data on the funders who paid for ads?
| Region | Answer | Note |
|---|---|---|
| BR | ❌ No | - |
| EU | ✅ Yes, through both GUI and API | The identities of ad funders are disclosed in both the TikTok Commercial Content Library API and GUI. |
| UK | ✅ Yes, through both GUI and API | The identities of ad funders are disclosed in both the TikTok Commercial Content Library API and GUI. |
23.3.3.3 AD_OC11: Does the platform provide data on the period during which ads were served?
| Region | Answer | Note |
|---|---|---|
| BR | ❌ No | - |
| EU | ✅ Yes, through both GUI and API | The TikTok Commercial Content Library discloses the dates on which users first and last saw an ad on the platform through both its API and GUI. |
| UK | ✅ Yes, through both GUI and API | The TikTok Commercial Content Library discloses the dates on which users first and last saw an ad on the platform through both its API and GUI. |
23.3.3.4 AD_OC12: Does the platform provide data on user engagement with ads?
| Region | Answer | Note |
|---|---|---|
| BR | ❌ No | - |
| EU | ❌ No | The TikTok Commercial Content Library does not provide any data on user engagement with ads. |
| UK | ❌ No | The TikTok Commercial Content Library does not provide any data on user engagement with ads. |
23.3.3.5 AD_OC13: Does the platform indicate whether ads were placed by verified or unverified advertisers?
| Region | Answer | Note |
|---|---|---|
| BR | ❌ No | - |
| EU | ❌ No | The TikTok Commercial Content Library does not disclose any information on advertisers' verification status. |
| UK | ❌ No | The TikTok Commercial Content Library does not disclose any information on advertisers' verification status. |
23.3.4 Compliance
23.3.4.1 AD_OC14: Does the platform flag ads that were removed due to violations of its guidelines or relevant legislation?
| Region | Answer | Note |
|---|---|---|
| BR | ❌ No | - |
| EU | ✅ Yes, through the GUI | It is possible to identify moderated ads in the TikTok Commercial Content Library, although the video content may be unavailable. However, while moderated and removed ads in the user interface include specific reasons for the enforcement action when users access additional details, the TikTok Commercial Content API provides only a generic statement — "Removed from TikTok due to a violation of TikTok’s terms". We consider this insufficient for the tool to fully meet the requirements of this assessment. |
| UK | ✅ Yes, through the GUI | It is possible to identify moderated ads in the TikTok Commercial Content Library, although the video content may be unavailable. However, while moderated and removed ads in the user interface include specific reasons for the enforcement action when users access additional details, the TikTok Commercial Content API provides only a generic statement — "Removed from TikTok due to a violation of TikTok’s terms". We consider this insufficient for the tool to fully meet the requirements of this assessment. |
23.3.4.2 AD_OC15: Does the platform indicate whether ad content was generated using artificial intelligence?
| Region | Answer | Note |
|---|---|---|
| BR | ❌ No | - |
| EU | ❌ No | The TikTok Commercial Content Library does not provide any information regarding the use of generative AI in the creation or manipulation of ad content. |
| UK | ❌ No | The TikTok Commercial Content Library does not provide any information regarding the use of generative AI in the creation or manipulation of ad content. |
23.3.4.3 AD_OC16: Is the platform’s ad repository documentation published in open access?
| Region | Answer | Note |
|---|---|---|
| BR | ❌ No | - |
| EU | ✅ Yes, both API and GUI documentation | Both the TikTok Commercial Content Library API and GUI documentation are publicly available to any interested party and can be accessed without login or authentication. |
| UK | ✅ Yes, both API and GUI documentation | Both the TikTok Commercial Content Library API and GUI documentation are publicly available to any interested party and can be accessed without login or authentication. |
23.3.4.4 AD_OC17: Is the platform’s ad repository documentation clearly written and exemplified?
| Region | Answer | Note |
|---|---|---|
| BR | ❌ No | - |
| EU | ✅ Yes, both API and GUI documentation | Both the TikTok Commercial Content Library API and GUI documentation are clearly structured and comprehensively documented, including detailed descriptions of access mechanisms, request parameters, endpoints, search functionalities, references, retrieved data fields, and illustrative usage scenarios. |
| UK | ✅ Yes, both API and GUI documentation | Both the TikTok Commercial Content Library API and GUI documentation are clearly structured and comprehensively documented, including detailed descriptions of access mechanisms, request parameters, endpoints, search functionalities, references, retrieved data fields, and illustrative usage scenarios. |
23.3.4.5 AD_OC18: Does the platform’s ad repository documentation include or link to its terms of use?
| Region | Answer | Note |
|---|---|---|
| BR | ❌ No | - |
| EU | ✅ Yes, the API documentation | The TikTok Commercial Content Library API is governed by TikTok’s developer terms of service and developer guidelines, which are clearly documented and readily accessible. On the other hand, we did not identify any guidelines governing the use of the GUI tool. |
| UK | ✅ Yes, the API documentation | The TikTok Commercial Content Library API is governed by TikTok’s developer terms of service and developer guidelines, which are clearly documented and readily accessible. On the other hand, we did not identify any guidelines governing the use of the GUI tool. |
23.3.4.6 AD_OC19: Does the platform provide its ad repository documentation in the official languages of the assessed region?
| Region | Answer | Note |
|---|---|---|
| BR | ❌ No | - |
| EU | ✅ Yes, the GUI documentation | The TikTok Commercial Content API documentation is only available in English. On the other hand, the TikTok Commercial Content Library GUI documentation is available in all the official EU languages. |
| UK | ✅ Yes, the GUI documentation | Both the TikTok Commercial Content Library API and GUI documentation are available in English. |
23.3.4.7 AD_OC20: Does the platform implement a proper deprecation strategy to avoid breaking client applications while rolling out major changes in the API?
| Region | Answer | Note |
|---|---|---|
| BR | ❌ No | - |
| EU | ✅ Yes | TikTok provides a dedicated changelog for its Commercial Content Library API, which documents the dates and descriptions of newly introduced features or modifications, as well as the final support dates for deprecated functionalities. |
| UK | ✅ Yes | TikTok provides a dedicated changelog for its Commercial Content Library API, which documents the dates and descriptions of newly introduced features or modifications, as well as the final support dates for deprecated functionalities. |
23.3.4.8 AD_OC21: Does the platform’s ad repository API documentation detail the response format of each endpoint?
| Region | Answer | Note |
|---|---|---|
| BR | ❌ No | - |
| EU | ✅ Yes | The TikTok Commercial Content API documentation provides, for each available endpoint, the expected response for both successful requests and error cases, as well as the response data structure, including the type, description, and an example for each data field in the response. |
| UK | ✅ Yes | The TikTok Commercial Content API documentation provides, for each available endpoint, the expected response for both successful requests and error cases, as well as the response data structure, including the type, description, and an example for each data field in the response. |
23.3.4.9 AD_OC22: Does the platform’s ad repository API documentation detail the quota or rate limits applicable to each available endpoint?
| Region | Answer | Note |
|---|---|---|
| BR | ❌ No | - |
| EU | ❌ No | Although TikTok’s developer documentation includes a section on rate limiting, it only states that each API is subject to its own limits. We were unable to identify any specific rate-limit thresholds applicable to the Commercial Content Library API. |
| UK | ❌ No | Although TikTok’s developer documentation includes a section on rate limiting, it only states that each API is subject to its own limits. We were unable to identify any specific rate-limit thresholds applicable to the Commercial Content Library API. |
23.3.5 Consistency
23.3.5.1 AD_OC23: Does the data retrieved by the API reflect what is displayed on the platform’s ad repository GUI?
| Region | Answer | Note |
|---|---|---|
| BR | ❌ No | - |
| EU | ✅ Yes | All information available in the TikTok Commercial Content Library GUI is also present in the TikTok Commercial Content API responses. |
| UK | ✅ Yes | All information available in the TikTok Commercial Content Library GUI is also present in the TikTok Commercial Content API responses. |
23.3.5.2 AD_OC24: Are the results returned by the platform consistently reproducible?
| Region | Answer | Note |
|---|---|---|
| BR | ❌ No | - |
| EU | ✅ Yes, through both GUI and API | We conducted a test using the TikTok Commercial Content API by issuing five identical requests with the same parameters, saving each response to a separate file, and comparing whether all ads appeared consistently across the files. We observed that the full set of ads was present in every response. The GUI was likewise found to return consistent results across repeated queries. |
| UK | ✅ Yes, through both GUI and API | We conducted a test using the TikTok Commercial Content API by issuing five identical requests with the same parameters, saving each response to a separate file, and comparing whether all ads appeared consistently across the files. We observed that the full set of ads was present in every response. The GUI was likewise found to return consistent results across repeated queries. |
23.3.5.3 AD_OC25: Is the data returned by the platform consistent with the parameters and filters used in the request?
| Region | Answer | Note |
|---|---|---|
| BR | ❌ No | - |
| EU | ✅ Yes, through both GUI and API | We conducted a test of the TikTok Commercial Content Library API using five requests with different parameter configurations. The results were compared against the specified filters, and all responses were successfully validated, with the exception of the country filter. The API response does not include a field that allows direct verification of the country parameter. To confirm this information, it would be necessary to query each ad individually through the corresponding detail endpoint. For the GUI, all displayed advertisements were consistent with the applied filters. |
| UK | ✅ Yes, through both GUI and API | We conducted a test of the TikTok Commercial Content Library API using five requests with different parameter configurations. The results were compared against the specified filters, and all responses were successfully validated, with the exception of the country filter. The API response does not include a field that allows direct verification of the country parameter. To confirm this information, it would be necessary to query each ad individually through the corresponding detail endpoint. For the GUI, all displayed advertisements were consistent with the applied filters. |
23.3.6 Relevance
23.3.6.1 AD_OC26: Does the platform allow the use of temporal filters to retrieve data on ads?
| Region | Answer | Note |
|---|---|---|
| BR | ❌ No | - |
| EU | ✅ Yes, through both GUI and API | The TikTok Commercial Content Library enables users to retrieve ads by specifying delivery start and end dates through both the GUI and the API. |
| UK | ✅ Yes, through both GUI and API | The TikTok Commercial Content Library enables users to retrieve ads by specifying delivery start and end dates through both the GUI and the API. |
23.3.6.2 AD_OC27: Does the platform allow filtering advertising data by ad category?
| Region | Answer | Note |
|---|---|---|
| BR | ❌ No | - |
| EU | ❌ No | The TikTok Commercial Content Library does not allow data to be filtered by ad category. |
| UK | ❌ No | The TikTok Commercial Content Library does not allow data to be filtered by ad category. |
23.3.6.3 AD_OC28: Does the platform allow filtering advertising data by geographic location?
| Region | Answer | Note |
|---|---|---|
| BR | ❌ No | - |
| EU | ❌ No | The TikTok Commercial Content Library only allows data to be filtered by country. |
| UK | ❌ No | The TikTok Commercial Content Library only allows data to be filtered by country. |
23.3.7 Accuracy
23.3.7.1 AD_OC29: Does the platform provide age and gender data on the audiences of ads?
| Region | Answer | Note |
|---|---|---|
| BR | ❌ No | - |
| EU | ❌ No | The TikTok Commercial Content Library does not provide any age or gender information about an ad’s audience. |
| UK | ❌ No | The TikTok Commercial Content Library does not provide any age or gender information about an ad’s audience. |
23.3.7.2 AD_OC30: Does the platform provide subnational geographic data on the audience reached by ads?
| Region | Answer | Note |
|---|---|---|
| BR | ❌ No | - |
| EU | ❌ No | The TikTok Commercial Content Library does not provide any subnational location data about an ad’s audience. |
| UK | ❌ No | The TikTok Commercial Content Library does not provide any subnational location data about an ad’s audience. |
23.3.7.3 AD_OC31: Does the platform include data on audience targeting criteria defined by advertisers?
| Region | Answer | Note |
|---|---|---|
| BR | ❌ No | - |
| EU | ✅ Yes, through both GUI and API | The TikTok Commercial Content Library GUI provides information on advertiser-defined targeting criteria, including age, gender, and interests. While this information is accessible via the Commercial Content API, it is only available when a specific ad ID is provided and we could not retrieve it through the API’s standard search or bulk retrieval endpoints. |
| UK | ✅ Yes, through both GUI and API | The TikTok Commercial Content Library GUI provides information on advertiser-defined targeting criteria, including age, gender, and interests. While this information is accessible via the Commercial Content API, it is only available when a specific ad ID is provided and we could not retrieve it through the API’s standard search or bulk retrieval endpoints. |
23.3.7.4 AD_OC32: Does the platform provide granular volume ranges for ad impressions?
| Region | Answer | Note |
|---|---|---|
| BR | ❌ No | - |
| EU | ❌ No | The TikTok Commercial Content Library provides data on the number of ad recipients, but not at a sufficiently granular level. |
| UK | ❌ No | The TikTok Commercial Content Library provides data on the number of ad recipients, but not at a sufficiently granular level. |
23.3.7.5 AD_OC33: Does the platform provide granular investment ranges for ad spending?
| Region | Answer | Note |
|---|---|---|
| BR | ❌ No | - |
| EU | ❌ No | The TikTok Commercial Content Library does not provide data on ad spending. |
| UK | ❌ No | The TikTok Commercial Content Library does not provide data on ad spending. |