We, the undersigned creators and users, are calling on TikTok to implement fair, transparent, and consistent policies for TikTok Live.

TikTok has become one of the most powerful platforms for creators to build communities and earn a living. However, recent enforcement patterns and platform incentives are raising serious concerns about fairness, safety, and creative freedom.

Creators are experiencing inconsistent moderation that appears to prioritize monetization over user safety. For example, credible reports show that serious violations such as threats or harmful behavior are not always addressed with urgency, while minor or non-harmful actions such as holding or showing everyday items not tied to TikTok Shop can result in warnings, restrictions, or even permanent bans.

Creators are also facing growing financial penalties tied to unclear and inconsistently enforced rules.

Many TikTok Live creators report that if they do not meet certain engagement expectations such as staying live for extended periods or actively promoting TikTok Shop products their visibility and earnings are significantly reduced. In addition, violations often for minor or unclear reasons can result in substantial portions of a creator’s earnings being withheld or removed entirely.

This creates a system where creators feel pressured to behave in very specific ways dictated by the platform, rather than creating authentic content. In practice, this resembles a system where individuals are financially penalized for not aligning with opaque or inconsistently applied standards.

To put this into perspective, this would be comparable to a traditional workplace where an employee could lose a significant percentage of their paycheck for violating unclear or minor rules without transparent guidelines or a fair appeals process.

Creators deserve clarity, consistency, and protection when it comes to how their income is earned and distributed.

Additionally, creators are increasingly penalized for normal behavior during live streams. Some have received violations for not speaking frequently enough, despite engaging their audience in other ways. At the same time, there is growing pressure to promote TikTok Shop products, as creators who do not participate in monetized content appear to experience reduced visibility and reach.

This creates an environment where creators feel forced to prioritize platform profit over authentic content and genuine interaction.

We believe creators should not have to choose between maintaining their livelihoods and expressing themselves freely.

We are asking TikTok to:

Apply moderation consistently and transparently, ensuring serious violations are treated with appropriate urgency.
End penalties for passive or slower-paced live content, including unfair enforcement tied to speaking frequency.

Clearly separate safety enforcement from monetization incentives, so creators are not indirectly forced to promote products.
Provide clear, specific explanations for violations and bans, along with a fair and timely appeals process.

Protect creator freedom of expression, allowing diverse content styles without algorithmic suppression.

Why this matters

Millions of creators rely on TikTok Live and TikTok no only as a creative outlet but as a source of income. When enforcement is inconsistent and incentives are unclear, it puts livelihoods at risk and undermines trust in the platform.

A fair system benefits everyone creators, users, and TikTok itself.

We urge TikTok to take immediate steps to restore fairness, transparency, and creative freedom on TikTok Live.

Sign this petition to support creators and help build a platform that values people not just profit.