1. Overview

• This Creator Performance Evaluation Policy (hereafter referred to as "this Policy") details the enforcement action TikTok Shop (hereafter referred to as "the Platform") will take against Creators for violating its Terms and Policies and how Creators can appeal against such enforcement action.
• The Platform may take enforcement action as set out in this Policy and other related Terms and Policies.
• This policy applies to Creators only.
• This Policy is not exhaustive, and Creators are solely responsible for ensuring that they do not engage in any practice that is prohibited under this Policy, and that they comply with applicable laws and regulations, and all Platform Terms and Policies.
• Creators may wish to seek independent legal advice if they have questions about the laws and regulations concerning their practices.
• Our Policies are updated periodically. Unless otherwise required by applicable laws and regulations, we will notify you in advance of any changes to this Policy. Please see the Creator Terms of Use for details of how we may make changes to our terms and policies. Creators are responsible for checking this page regularly to ensure they comply with our Policy.

2. Definitions

• Creators refer to all users who create e-commerce content.
• Terms and Policies refer to the Creator Terms of Use, as well as the policies listed on the TikTok Shop Policy Center.

3. Violation Points

We use a Violation Points System to ensure compliance with our content policies. If you violate our policies, violation points may be assigned to your account. Accumulating points can result in escalating penalties.
Violation points are assigned based on the severity and frequency of violations. Our gradual enforcement approach helps creators align with guidelines by offering leniency for first-time violations and applying progressively stricter penalties for repeated violations. Here's how it works:

• When accumulated Violation Points reach certain milestones referenced in section 5 below, the Platform will take the corresponding enforcement action.
• Violation Points incurred by each violation will be automatically cleared every 90 calendar days unless the Creator has accumulated 24 points.
• The Platform may take any additional necessary corrective actions and controls (as may be required under applicable laws), in addition to violation points.

4. Associated Accounts Enforcement Actions

• Associated Accounts refer to Seller accounts, other Creator accounts, or any other type of TikTok platform account which the Platform reasonably determines to have sufficient connections to indicate an existing relationship between the owners of the relevant accounts.
• If the Platform finds that a Creator account has Associated Account(s), and such accounts have violated our Terms and Policies or any applicable laws, we may take enforcement action against the Creator and the Associated Account(s).
• The enforcement action(s) taken against the Associated Account(s) will depend on the severity of the violation. The Platform will determine the severity of any enforcement action acting reasonably, but in its sole and absolute discretion.

5. Policy Violations

The table below contains a non-exhaustive list of policy violations for which creators may receive Violation Points and enforcement actions (see section 6), which may include account deactivation. Depending on the severity of the violation which we will assess on a case by case basis, we may also apply more violation points and take more severe enforcement actions (including for repeated violations). These penalties may comprise the suspension of e-commerce access and withholding of funds, depending on the severity of the violations.

6. Milestone Enforcement System

Where violations of our policies and guidelines occur, the Platform reserves the right to take necessary corrective enforcement actions on Creators. Creators who accrue a certain amount of Violation Points will reach various enforcement thresholds where enforcement actions will be taken against their account based on the number of points accumulated.
The chart below illustrates the relationship between enforcement actions and the number of accumulated violation points a Creator incurs. Please note that multiple enforcement actions may be taken depending on the type of violation committed by the Creators.

7. Enforcement Actions

In addition to the examples in Section 5 and 6, we may take additional enforcement actions for breaches of our policies, guidelines, or terms of service. A non-exhaustive list of the actions we may take include:

• Removing the Creator's product link
• Removing or blocking content
• Formal warning messages
• Suspension of Creator privileges
• Temporary or permanent withdrawal of Creator benefits
• Temporary or permanent exclusion of the Creator from any platform campaigns
• Commencing legal action against the Creator
• Reporting the Creator to the relevant regulatory authorities for appropriate action, and providing any necessary information on the Creator's account to regulatory authorities in accordance with applicable laws and regulations
• Accumulation of Violation Points
• Freezing all payments (including but not limited to commissions, deposits and promotion fees)
• Removal of traffic/exposure/platform recommendation for content and ads
• Deactivating the Creator's linked seller account(s)
• Deleting infringing account information such as email address or phone numbers.
• Recovery of applicable losses. This includes, but is not limited to:
  • Financial/efficiency loss
  • Administrative costs of associated investigations if a Creator has committed a severe violation of this Policy (reasonably assessed by our platform).

8. Risk Behaviour Control

In addition to the corrective actions set out above, we may take additional punitive actions such as:

• Freezing all payments from the Platform (including but not limited to deposit and promotion fees).
• Removing Creator account information.
• Removing content from the account, restricting or permanently blocking the account and removing TikTok Shop permission.
• Involve themselves in severe violations that have been uncovered/reported by public media, user reports and complaints.
• Who have engaged in illegal behaviour that has caused or may cause actual damage and adverse effects to our platform.

9. Withholding of Creator Commission Fees

In addition to TikTok Shop's rights listed above, if a creator has committed a severe violation (reasonably assessed by TikTok Shop) of this Policy, our Content Policy, any relevant platform policy or any applicable laws, TikTok Shop reserves the right to suspend the Creator's account and relevant e-commerce permissions, as well as withhold any relevant commission fees due to the Creator, subject to the terms as noted below. This decision can be made at TikTok Shop's sole and absolute discretion. You agree that, in such circumstances, you shall have no claim against the Seller or any payment service provider engaged by the Seller with respect to such suspension or withholding of payment.
Such withholding of the commission may be done for the longer of:

• (a) 90 calendar days from the date of TikTok Shop's notification of the suspension; or
• (b) The completion of TikTok Shop's investigation into the creator's suspected breach.

However, if TikTok Shop determines that the Creator has engaged in deceptive, abusive, fraudulent, or illegal activity, all commission fees will be permanently withheld and forfeited.
If a Creator’s actions cause loss or damage to TikTok Shop, Sellers, buyers, or other third parties, TikTok Shop may:

• Deduct compensation from the Creator’s commission fees
• Distribute (out of the Creator's commission fees) compensation to affected parties
• In the event the Creator's commission fees are insufficient to fully cover the damage, we may charge additional fees to cover the damage

This is subject to applicable laws and will be based on a reasonable assessment of the breach.
A creator may file an appeal against this enforcement action in accordance with section 10 below.

10. Appeal

• If a Creator believes that enforcement action was taken against them in error, they may appeal through the appeal functionalities provided by the platform in the enforcement action notification.
• The Platform will then investigate the case and take corrective action where applicable.
• Please note that submitting an appeal does not guarantee a successful outcome for the Creator.

10.1 Appeal Procedure

• Creators can raise a maximum of one appeal against one enforcement action.
• The first appeal must be raised within 30 days from the day on which the Creator is notified about the enforcement action. Appeals are not available after this time.
• Any appeals raised after the timelines stipulated above will not constitute a valid appeal and will not be reviewed by the Platform.

10.2 Appeal Results

• The Platform will evaluate a Creator's appeal and will aim to inform the Creator of the outcome or make a request for further information without undue delay. Creators will also be informed of the possibility of out-of-court dispute settlement and other available possibilities for redress.
• The decision made by the Platform regarding the Creator's appeal shall be notified to the Creator without undue delay.
• If the Creator's appeal is successful, the Platform will remove any penalties issued and/or restore any withdrawn privileges to/from the Creator.
• All decisions made by the Platform are at the Platform's sole discretion and are non-discriminatory, diligent and non-arbitrary. Regardless of the out-of-court dispute settlement process and mediation procedures offered by the Platform, a decision is final.