TikTok recently announced updated community guidelines to enhance safety for TikTok’s creators. These updates particularly focus on users of the platform’s LIVE feature, making it even more accountable. These changes come as social media companies navigate a complex regulatory landscape, including the U.K.’s Online Safety Act, the EU’s Digital Services Act, and the U.S.’s TAKE IT DOWN Act, which have prompted various policy revisions across platforms.
The new guidelines explicitly note that TikTok LIVE creators are responsible for their LIVE sessions. This is even true for difficulties created by third-party software used in live streams. Attached to this short caveat, the platform simultaneously warns its creators of the dangers of anti-social live interactions. These risks can be anything from user behavior challenges to misinformation on the platform.
Beyond LIVE-specific rules, TikTok has started personalizing search results on the platform. This fundamental shift focuses on creating a more personalized experience for users, delivering content that better aligns with their unique interests and search habits. If it seems that such moves are in line with wider efforts across social media companies to appease changing regulations while not losing users, that’s because they are.
Sarah Perez, veteran reporter over at TechCrunch since August 2011, has been all over this story. Before joining TechCrunch, she dedicated over three years to reporting at ReadWriteWeb and has experience in information technology across various sectors, including banking and retail. Her years of experience in the field makes her ideally suited to evaluate the impact of these changes in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.
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The new guidelines allow us to go straight at that misinformation. They unequivocally emphasize that creators should avoid publishing false information about public issues or dangerous people. TikTok specified that creators should refrain from using “fake authoritative sources or crisis events” and should not misrepresent public figures in any context.
TikTok believes in creator safety above all else. Once these policies go into effect, they’ve promised to take action against users spreading harassment or false endorsements.
“That’s misleading about matters of public importance or harmful to individuals.” – TikTok
This announcement comes as no surprise given TikTok’s goal to grow their e-commerce initiatives. It helps clarify what creators can expect and should be doing.
“Creators can purchase products off-platform in markets where TikTok Shop is available.” – TikTok
These updated guidelines continue a trend we’ve seen on social media platforms. Recently, Bluesky changed its policy and community guidelines in a major way. These enhancements highlight a notable commitment to user safety and global regulations compliance.
We know TikTok is in constant flux with how they’re updating policies. The platform is preparing for Disrupt, the TechCrunch event taking place in San Francisco from Oct. 27-29, 2025. This year’s event will focus on emerging trends and capabilities in technology and social media, providing a crash course on the newest weapons at our disposal.
As TikTok continues to refine its policies, the platform prepares for an upcoming TechCrunch event scheduled in San Francisco from October 27-29, 2025. This event will offer insights into the latest trends and developments in technology and social media.
