Starting November 2026, TikTok will apply a penalty program to music content distributed to its platform that violates its policies. In this first stage, it only applies to Hidden Recordings. TikTok may expand it to other violation types in the future, with prior notice.
Key Dates
November 2026: fine program begins.
Second half of December 2026: first penalty report (November violations).
The report month is based on the date TikTok receives the release.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Hidden Recording?
A recording that contains an unauthorized song, intentionally masked or paired with misleading metadata, in order to evade moderation filters and claim revenue from user videos (UGC) that use that music.
What happens if a track is identified as a Hidden Recording?
An administration fee of USD 10 per track is charged.
The track is blocked or removed from TikTok’s music library.
It is excluded from the UGC scanning system.
Its usage is excluded from that month’s royalty calculation.
How does this affect my account?
If you receive a fine, it will be deducted from your Random Sounds account balance.
Can I be fined more than once for the same track?
No. However, if you resubmit the same recording as a new release and it is identified again, a new fine may apply.
Can I appeal?
Yes. If you believe your track was fined by mistake, contact our support team and we will handle the appeal.
How to avoid penalties
Only distribute music you fully own the rights to.
Use accurate metadata: real title, artists, and credits.
Do not upload altered versions (pitch, speed, overlaid noise) of third-party songs.
📖 Read more:
Content Guidelines | Random Sounds
Prohibited Content on TikTok | Random Sounds
What happens when Spotify fines a song for Artificial Streaming? | Random Sounds