TikTok has announced significant updates to its Terms of Service for users in the European Economic Area, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom, set to take effect on July 25, 2025. The changes introduce stricter content moderation policies and enhanced user safety measures amid increased regulatory scrutiny in the region.

New Content Policies and User Protections

The updated terms explicitly prohibit users from posting content that “spreads harmful misinformation” including election misinformation that could “mislead or improperly influence elections or other civic processes.” The platform also strengthens its stance against content that “contains or promotes violence or discrimination” based on protected characteristics including race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, and immigration status.

TikTok’s revised policy outlines clearer boundaries for user behavior, specifically banning “inauthentic commercial behaviours” such as operating spam accounts, impersonation, and engaging in fake review activities. The platform commits to using “a mix of technology, human moderation, and reports from users” to identify breaches and enforce these terms.

For younger users, the platform maintains age restrictions for specific features: users must be 16 or older to use direct messaging, 18 or older to live stream, and 18 or older to interact with virtual items.

European Data Handling Under Scrutiny

The terms update comes as TikTok faces fresh regulatory challenges in Europe. Ireland’s Data Protection Commission recently launched a new investigation into the company’s transfer of European user data to China, following a €530 million fine imposed earlier this year for GDPR violations.

TikTok continues expansion of its European data infrastructure through Project Clover, a €12 billion initiative aimed at storing European user data within what the company calls its “European Enclave.” The ByteDance-owned platform operates data centers in Ireland and Norway, with a recently announced €1 billion investment in Finland aimed at securing data from its 175 million European users.

UK Growth and Investment

Despite regulatory headwinds, TikTok reports strong growth in the UK market, now serving more than 30 million monthly users, making it the largest user community for the platform in Europe. The company plans to expand its UK workforce to 3,000 employees this year, adding more than 500 new jobs.

TikTok’s investment in UK infrastructure includes a new 135,000-square-foot office in the Barbican, London, scheduled to open in early 2026, complementing its existing Farringdon head office. The combined investment totals approximately £140 million.

“Whether through direct investment in jobs and innovation, or the wider economic contribution from millions of British businesses on TikTok, we’re pleased to be increasing our investment and presence here in the UK, an important hub for TikTok,” states Adam Presser, Director of TikTok UK and Global Head of Operations and Trust and Safety.

Expanded Dispute Resolution Options

The updated terms introduce additional dispute resolution options for European and UK users. Consumers can bring legal claims to their local courts, or alternatively to the courts of the Republic of Ireland (for disputes with TikTok Technology Limited) or the courts of England & Wales (for disputes with TikTok Information Technologies UK Limited).

TikTok emphasizes that users who disagree with the changes should “stop using the Platform” when the new terms take effect on July 25. The company notes it will provide “reasonable advance notice of significant changes which will impact you” for any future updates.

The platform now hosts more than 1.5 million UK businesses, with Oxford Economics research finding that small and medium enterprises on TikTok contribute an additional £1.6 billion to the UK economy while supporting 32,000 jobs.