Your YouTube/TikTok channel was shut down or stolen: when it’s just tech support and when you need a lawyer for copyright and damages

• the platform blocked or closed your account or channel, sometimes without a clear explanation;
• someone “took over” your channel (you are locked out, email changed, new videos appear without your consent);
• a large part of your content was deleted, or monetisation was disabled in a way that feels arbitrary or abusive;
• other creators or brands copy your content, upload it on their channels or even use it in campaigns without your agreement.

We will look at:

• how to distinguish a technical/support problem (password reset, hacked account, device security) from a legal problem (copyright infringement, abusive termination, non-performance of contracts with brands, criminal offences);
• what platform terms (YouTube, TikTok) say – in broad strokes – about content, suspension and account termination;
• how copyright for online content (video, audio, text, thumbnails, descriptions) is protected in Romania and in the EU;
• what concrete steps you should follow: platform notices, proving that you are the rightful channel owner, criminal complaints (identity theft, illegal access to IT systems), civil actions for damages;
• how the damage of a blocked channel is usually assessed (lost income, broken contracts, image damage);
• and, very pragmatically, when it actually makes sense to involve a lawyer – an “avocat drepturi de autor YouTube România” – and when you are better off focusing on support tickets and security.

1. First, understand what happened: typical scenarios for creators

Before talking about laws and lawsuits, you need a clear picture of the situation. In practice, most incidents fall into several recurring categories:

• Hacked or “taken over” channel: you receive security alerts, you are logged out from devices, you notice password and recovery data changes, or you suddenly see videos, descriptions or links that you did not upload.
• Account or channel suspended by the platform: you receive an email saying you violated Community Guidelines or Terms of Service, or you simply cannot log in and see a message that the account was banned.
• Mass deletion or demonetisation: a large number of videos are demonetised, marked as limited ads or removed; your AdSense, YouTube Partner or TikTok monetisation is turned off.
• Systematic copying of your content: someone downloads your videos, re-uploads them on other channels, uses your footage in ads, or builds a fake profile that confuses your audience.

Each scenario starts as a platform and security issue, but part of them quickly becomes a legal issue as well. The key is to see where the line is.

2. Technical/support problem vs legal problem: where is the line?

2.1. Signs it’s “just” a support or security issue

Even if it feels dramatic, some incidents can be handled mainly through technical measures and platform support, without a long legal battle. Typical signs:

• you still have full access to the email address and phone number linked to the account;
• the account is not actually terminated; you just need to go through a password reset, two-factor authentication (2FA) setup or device verification flow;
• you see clear alerts in your Google, Apple or TikTok account history about suspicious logins and you can revoke them;
• the platform message explicitly says that you can appeal, and your content is temporarily hidden until a review is completed;
• the problem appears after you changed devices, logged in from a different country or used a VPN – which often triggers automatic security checks.

In these cases, your priority is to:

• secure all accounts (email, Google, Apple ID, Facebook/Meta, TikTok) with new unique passwords and 2FA;
• run a security check on the devices you use for content (phones, laptops, editing computers);
• follow the official recovery procedures of the platform:

• for YouTube, see the official Terms of Service and policy on suspensions and terminations: YouTube Terms of Service and Channel or account terminations – YouTube Help;
• for TikTok, see Account safety – TikTok Support and the pages on bans and appeals, such as underage appeals on TikTok, which illustrate the general appeal logic.

If the issue is solved quickly and you regain control without lasting damage, the story ends here. But many creators discover that things are not that simple.

2.2. Red flags that you are already in legal territory

You should start thinking in legal terms (not just “help center tickets”) when:

• someone changed the email, phone or recovery data of your account and you are locked out, although you can prove you created and used the channel (contracts, invoices, screenshots, old emails from the platform);
• the platform terminated the channel, not just a video, and tells you clearly that you are not allowed to create or use other channels. This is common on YouTube when there are repeated serious breaches – and channel termination usually comes with a restriction on creating new channels.
• a brand or agency is still using your videos in ads or campaigns after the contract expired or without paying what was agreed;
• your name, image and identity are used for fake profiles or for channels that pretend to be you;
• the incident also involves: illegal access to an IT system, identity theft, fraud or extortion – situations that may fall under criminal law (for example, illegal access to an IT system under art. 360 of the Romanian Criminal Code).

From this point on, you need to think strategically: what do you want to achieve (mere recovery of access, damages, stopping a campaign), what evidence do you have, under which law (Romanian, EU, foreign) and how much time and money you are prepared to invest.

3. What platform terms say about content ownership and account shutdown

3.1. YouTube, TikTok & co.: you keep copyright, but they keep control over access

Major platforms usually say two things at the same time in their terms of service:

• you retain the copyright over the videos, audio or text you upload – you are the author or rights holder;
• you grant the platform a broad licence to host, distribute and use your content and they reserve the right to remove content or terminate accounts if you breach the rules.

For example, YouTube’s Terms of Service explicitly allow YouTube to suspend or terminate access to all or part of the service if you materially or repeatedly breach the agreement, if they must comply with legal obligations or if your conduct creates (or could create) liability or harm for users, third parties, YouTube or its affiliates. In the help section on account terminations, YouTube also clarifies that if your channel is terminated, you are generally not allowed to use, create or possess other channels to bypass that termination.

TikTok’s safety and account pages emphasise the need to secure your account (strong passwords, device management, avoiding phishing) and describe situations where accounts or content may be restricted or banned, as well as how appeal processes work.

In other words, the platform is both your ally (distribution, monetisation) and your “gatekeeper” (they have the technical and contractual power to close the gate). When a dispute escalates, your legal position will depend on both copyright law and the contractual terms you accepted by clicking “I agree”.

3.2. The Digital Services Act: extra duties for large platforms

At EU level, the Digital Services Act – Regulation (EU) 2022/2065 (DSA) sets a common framework for digital services, including large platforms such as YouTube and TikTok. It reinforces rules on illegal content, transparency and due process: platforms must provide clear reasons when removing content or suspending accounts, must offer users the possibility to contest decisions and, for very large online platforms, must comply with stricter obligations regarding systemic risks and transparency.

The DSA is of direct application in all Member States and is complemented in Romania by national measures and the designation of a digital services coordinator (ANCOM), which also provides information in Romanian on platform obligations and user rights. For creators, this means that account blocking and content removal are no longer “black boxes”: platforms must justify their decisions and offer complaint mechanisms, which can be important evidence in a later legal action.

4. Copyright protection for online content in Romania and the EU

4.1. Romanian law: Law no. 8/1996 on copyright and related rights

In Romania, the basic framework is Law no. 8/1996 on copyright and related rights. It states that copyright over literary, artistic, scientific and other intellectual works is recognised and guaranteed, combining moral rights (authorship, name, integrity of the work) and economic rights (reproduction, distribution, communication to the public, etc.).

Video blogs, podcasts, scripts, thumbnails, graphic elements, music used with permission, as well as some forms of commentary and educational content, are generally protected if they are original works of intellectual creation. Law no. 8/1996 also regulates how you can transfer or license these rights: the author or rights holder may transfer economic rights to others by contract, and such transfer can be exclusive or non-exclusive, limited to certain rights, territories and durations.

If you want a structured introduction in Romanian, including examples and internal links to other materials, you can read:

• Drepturile de autor pentru creatori online (YouTube, TikTok, bloguri, podcasturi): ce este protejat și ce faci când ți se fură conținutul;
• Contracte de cesiune și licență pentru interpreți, influenceri și creatori de conținut: clauze critice și cum eviți să-ți pierzi drepturile.

4.2. EU rules for the digital single market

At EU level, Directive (EU) 2019/790 on copyright and related rights in the Digital Single Market updated the rules for online content-sharing service providers, including their liability when users upload copyrighted content. This Directive complements Law no. 8/1996 and, among other things, clarifies when platforms must obtain licences and how notice-and-takedown mechanisms should work.

For the enforcement of IP rights, Directive 2004/48/EC on the enforcement of intellectual property rights sets minimum standards for measures, procedures and remedies to ensure respect for IP: injunctions, damages, preservation of evidence, etc. These rules are particularly important when you want to sue someone who copied your content or when you ask a court to order a platform or an intermediary to stop an infringement.

4.3. Copyright vs platform terms: double layer of protection

In practice, your legal position as a creator has two layers:

• Civil and copyright law (Law no. 8/1996, Civil Code, EU directives): they recognise you as author/rights holder, allow you to claim damages and to ask for the cessation of infringements.
• Contractual terms (platform Terms of Service, brand/agency contracts): they define the rules of the game for using the service and for your obligations towards partners.

When “mi-au spart canalul de YouTube și mi-au furat conținutul”, you might have simultaneously: a breach of copyright (another channel uses your videos), a breach of contract (an agency uses your image beyond what you agreed) and, possibly, criminal offences (illegal access to IT systems, fraud). The strategy must take into account all these fronts.

5. What to do immediately when your channel is blocked or stolen

5.1. Immediate checklist (first 24–72 hours)

Here is a structured list of actions you should consider as soon as you detect a serious incident:

• 1. Secure your digital identity
  • change passwords for email accounts connected to platforms (Gmail, Outlook, Apple ID, Facebook/Meta);
  • enable two-factor authentication (2FA) everywhere you can;
  • revoke access for unknown devices and apps from account settings.
• 2. Document everything
  • take screenshots of error messages, notifications from YouTube/TikTok, dashboards showing lost videos or demonetisation;
  • download account activity logs, where available;
  • export your analytics (views, watch time, revenue) for at least the last 12–24 months.
• 3. Use the official recovery channels
  • for YouTube: follow the account recovery and appeal process described in the official help pages on terminations and suspensions;
  • for TikTok: use the in-app appeal tools and the procedures described in the account safety and appeals sections of the help center;
  • keep copies (PDF or screenshots) of all messages you send and receive.
• 4. Check other digital assets
  • verify if Instagram, Facebook pages, podcasts, websites or newsletters linked to the channel are also affected;
  • change API keys and passwords for connected services (editing tools, scheduling tools, thumbnail generators).
• 5. If there are signs of hacking, consider specialised help
  • ask an IT security professional to check your devices;
  • if the incident is serious (for example, use of your channels for fraud or scams), you can notify the Romanian National Cybersecurity Directorate – DNSC, which is the national authority for cybersecurity and incident response.

5.2. Evidence you should preserve from day one

If you later need to involve a lawyer, file a criminal complaint or go to court, evidence will matter far more than emotions. Think of at least the following categories:

• Contracts and invoices
  • contracts with brands, agencies, MCNs and sponsors that refer explicitly to your channel, number of subscribers, views, deliverables;
  • invoices, payment confirmations and bank statements showing income from YouTube, TikTok, sponsorships, Patreon, etc.
• Platform communications
  • emails from YouTube, TikTok, Meta or other platforms regarding policy violations, strikes, suspensions or terminations;
  • support ticket IDs, chat transcripts, decisions on appeals.
• Analytics and performance data
  • screenshots or exports of dashboards showing subscribers, views, watch time, RPM/CPM and revenue;
  • comparisons before/after the incident, especially if revenue dropped dramatically.
• Proof of authorship and priority
  • original project files (Premiere, Final Cut, DaVinci, audio stems), scripts, notes, drafts;
  • timestamps: when was the content first uploaded on your channel, when did copycats appear;
  • screenshots of infringing channels / profiles, including their URLs and dates.
• Proof of damage
  • emails from brands cancelling or suspending campaigns because the channel is down;
  • messages from followers or partners who can no longer reach your content;
  • any reputational harm (articles, posts, comments) linked to the incident.

6. Typical scenarios and legal strategies

6.1. “Mi-au furat canalul de YouTube cu mulți abonați” – channel taken over

When someone hacks your account, changes the email and phone number and starts posting or deleting content, you usually face:

• a cybersecurity incident (illegal access to your accounts and devices);
• a potential criminal offence (illegal access to an IT system under art. 360 of the Criminal Code and possibly computer fraud, depending on what the attacker does);
• a copyright and contractual issue if your content is deleted, modified or used elsewhere.

In addition to platform recovery procedures, it is usually advisable to:

• file a criminal complaint with the police or prosecutor’s office, describing the incident, the approximate date, your losses and attaching available evidence (screenshots, emails, logs);
• mention in the complaint any fraud, extortion or identity theft aspects (for instance, if the attacker used your channel to promote scams or to solicit money);
• notify DNSC if the incident is serious, especially when phishing, malware or large-scale scams are involved;
• continue to communicate with YouTube through their official channels, emphasising that you are the legitimate owner and that a criminal investigation is under way.

As damages, you may later claim at least:

• lost income from ads and sponsorships during the period when you were blocked;
• costs with technical and legal assistance;
• possibly, moral damages for image harm, if the attacker used your name for scams or offensive content.

6.2. “Mi-au închis contul de TikTok ce pot face legal” – platform banning

When a platform unilaterally closes your account, the first step is always to read carefully the reasons given, the policies cited and the appeal options. Under the DSA and their own terms, large platforms must provide clear reasons for removing content or suspending accounts and must offer you ways to challenge those decisions.

Typical steps:

• submit an internal appeal using the platform’s procedure (TikTok in-app appeal, YouTube’s appeal forms), addressing point by point the alleged violations;
• if the decision is maintained and you believe it is clearly wrong or disproportionate, consider a second escalation – some platforms use external dispute resolution or DSA-compliant mechanisms;
• analyse whether the decision breaches not only the terms of service, but also your rights under consumer and contract law (for example, abrupt termination despite long, compliant use and significant investments).

From a legal perspective, a claim against the platform is more complex: jurisdiction, applicable law, limitation of liability clauses and arbitration clauses may play a major role. This is where a “recuperare cont YouTube/TikTok avocat” approach – involving a lawyer with experience in platform disputes – can make the difference between an endless email loop and a realistic strategy.

For a broader discussion about the DSA, content moderation and tensions between freedom of expression and platform responsibility, see also the dedicated article in Romanian: Digital Services Act, TikTok și alegerile din România.

6.3. Mass reporting, political content and “sensitive” topics

Creators that discuss politics, elections, public scandals or sensitive issues (health, minorities, war) are exposed to mass-reporting campaigns. A large number of coordinated reports can trigger automated moderation systems, and sometimes accounts are restricted or demonetised without a nuanced human review.

In such scenarios:

• save evidence of mass reporting (comments, screenshots, statistics on strikes or reports);
• use appeal mechanisms to argue that content is in the public interest and complies with platform policies;
• consider whether there are elements of defamation or harassment against you as a person (for example, smear campaigns on other platforms) and document them for potential civil actions.

The DSA introduces extra obligations for large platforms regarding systemic risks around elections and public debate, and the DSA transparency database allows analysis of moderation practices, including during electoral periods. This wider context can be relevant if you are considering strategic litigation.

6.4. Your content is copied by other creators or brands

This scenario is frequent and often overlaps with blocked or hacked accounts. Steps to consider:

• identify all infringing uses: videos reuploaded on other channels, clips in ads, reposts on TikTok/Instagram, podcast segments, blog texts;
• use the internal copyright tools of platforms (YouTube’s Content ID / copyright takedown, TikTok’s IP report forms);
• send formal cease-and-desist letters to creators or brands that use your content;
• if the issue is serious (large campaigns, repeated use despite your objections), consider civil action based on Law no. 8/1996 and Directive 2004/48/EC, asking for cessation of the infringement and damages.

The internal articles on copyright for online creators and on how an artist can defend his rights in a copyright infringement lawsuit contain detailed examples of how such cases can be built.

7. How to think about damages for a blocked or stolen channel

7.1. What kinds of damage can a creator claim?

In Romanian practice, the discussion around damages usually revolves around three categories:

• Patrimonial (economic) damage – concrete financial loss:
  • lost ad revenue (AdSense, TikTok Creator Fund, other monetisation schemes);
  • lost sponsorships and brand deals (contracts cancelled or not renewed because your channel disappeared);
  • extra costs (technical recovery, legal fees, security services).
• Loss of chance – opportunities that realistically existed and were lost because of the incident:
  • a big campaign that was supposed to launch on your channel and was cancelled;
  • growth potential (for example, you were in a period of accelerated subscriber growth, and the incident froze the trend).
• Moral damages – damage to reputation, stress and image:
  • if the incident made you look unreliable or fraudulent in front of your audience or partners;
  • if the hacker posted offensive or illegal content in your name;
  • if defamatory campaigns accompanied the blocking of your channel.

7.2. How are the numbers roughly calculated?

There is no magic formula, but courts usually look for reasonable, documented estimates. For example:

• average monthly net income from the channel in the 6–12 months before the incident, multiplied by the number of months you were effectively blocked;
• concrete contracts lost (for instance, a 10,000 EUR campaign cancelled because the channel was inaccessible);
• trends in audience growth (if you can show, through analytics, a strong upward trend that stopped abruptly).

For copyright-related claims, the enforcement Directive 2004/48/EC and corresponding national rules allow courts to take into account either the negative economic consequences suffered by the injured party (including lost profits) or, where appropriate, non-economic factors, such as the moral prejudice caused to the rights holder.:contentReference[oaicite:25]{index=25}

A proper calculation often requires both legal analysis and financial expertise, especially when you combine ad revenue, sponsorships, merchandising and other streams.

7.3. Who could be liable?

Depending on the case, potential defendants may include:

• the attacker who hacked your accounts or used your channel for fraud (criminal and civil liability);
• brands or agencies that used your content or image beyond what was agreed contractually;
• in some cases, the platform itself, if you can show that it breached contractual or statutory obligations (for example, repeated failures to address clear misuse over a long period, contrary to the DSA and their own terms). This is complex and usually requires specialised counsel.

8. When does it make sense to hire a lawyer?

Not every blocked video justifies appointing a legal team. But there are clear situations where involving an avocat drepturi de autor YouTube România or a lawyer experienced in platform disputes is not just useful, but almost necessary:

• you earn significant monthly income from your channel (ads, sponsorships, courses, merchandising) and the channel is blocked or stolen;
• you have long-term contracts with brands or agencies that depend on access to the channel, and the incident puts you at risk of penalties or claims;
• you are facing a “wall” of automatic responses from the platform and need formal legal notices and a documented case;
• you want to pursue damages against a hacker, a competitor or a contract partner who used your content without rights;
• you need to coordinate several fronts at once: criminal complaint, civil claim, negotiations with brands and platform appeals.

In such cases, a lawyer can:

• analyse your contracts, terms of service and evidence to see what realistic options you have;
• draft formal notices, structured appeals and letters that speak the language of both platforms and courts;
• coordinate IT, accounting and PR aspects, so that your legal strategy does not destroy your public image or future partnerships.

The internal articles mentioned earlier – on contracts with agencies and brands and on copyright litigation – also show how a preventive and strategic approach can save you from much bigger problems later.

9. How a lawyer can help you before the crisis

Ideally, you do not wait until you are searching “mi-au spart canalul de YouTube și mi-au furat conținutul” at three in the morning. There are several preventive steps where legal input can dramatically reduce your risk:

• Audit of contracts with brands and agencies
  • clarifying what you really transfer (copyright and related rights), for how long and in what territories;
  • avoiding clauses that allow your content or image to be used in ways you never intended;
  • introducing clear rules on what happens if the platform limits or blocks your account during a campaign.
• Structuring ownership of channels and content
  • defining whether the channel belongs to you personally or to a company (useful for taxes, succession and liability);
  • clarifying relationships with editors, co-hosts, collaborators in writing.
• Compliance with copyright and advertising rules
  • avoiding copyright infringement yourself (music, clips, images), which can later weaken your position;
  • complying with advertising disclosure rules, so that your campaigns can be defended if they are attacked.
• Data protection and community handling
  • using newsletters, membership platforms and communities in compliance with data protection law (GDPR);
  • knowing when to involve the Romanian data protection authority – ANSPDCP – for serious personal data breaches.

In short, prevention is almost always cheaper than litigation – especially when your main asset is a channel that can disappear in a few clicks.

FAQ – blocked or stolen YouTube/TikTok channels

1. What can I do if my channel was stolen and the attacker changed the email address?

First, secure the email accounts and devices you still control, then use the platform’s official recovery forms to prove that you are the original owner (old emails, invoices, analytics, contracts). If there are clear signs of hacking, file a criminal complaint for illegal access to an IT system and related offences and consider notifying DNSC for serious cybersecurity incidents. Parallel to this, prepare evidence (screenshots, contracts, analytics) in case you later seek damages.

2. Can I sue the platform if they closed my account?

In theory, yes – but in practice it is complex. You must analyse the Terms of Service, the reasons for the suspension, the DSA rules on transparency and user redress and any jurisdiction or arbitration clauses. In many cases, it is more realistic to start with well-argued appeals and legal notices and to consider litigation only if the damage is large enough to justify the costs.

3. How long should I wait for the platform’s response before going to a lawyer?

You do not have to wait for months. If you earn significant revenue from your channel or have ongoing campaigns, it makes sense to speak to a lawyer as soon as you see that standard appeal routes produce only generic responses or that the incident has serious financial impact. A lawyer can help you structure your communication with the platform from the beginning.

4. Can I claim damages if my content was copied by other creators or brands?

Yes. Under Law no. 8/1996 and EU law, you can seek cessation of the infringement and damages for unauthorised use of your content. In practice, you usually start with platform takedown notices and letters to the infringers. If the situation is serious or repeated, you can file a civil action, relying on copyright rules and on the enforcement mechanisms provided by Directive 2004/48/EC.

5. What if my channel was blocked during an important campaign with a brand?

Check the contract to see what it says about force majeure, platform issues and responsibility for technical problems. Sometimes you can negotiate postponement or alternative deliverables. If the blocking is clearly not your fault and you acted in good faith, you may argue that penalties or claims against you are unjustified. If the brand still insists, a lawyer can help renegotiate or defend you in a potential dispute.

6. Where can I complain if my personal data was exposed during the incident?

If the incident involved personal data (for example, leaks of email addresses, phone numbers or other personal information of your community), you can consider notifying the Romanian data protection authority – ANSPDCP – especially if you are a data controller (for a newsletter, membership, online store). Depending on the case, the platform may also have obligations under GDPR to report the breach and inform affected users.

7. Is it worth pursuing a lawsuit if I am a small creator?

It depends on the scale of the damage. If you have modest income and the incident was short-lived, focusing on rebuilding the channel and improving security might be more efficient. Lawsuits make most sense when your channel is a major business asset (high and stable revenue, long-term contracts, strong brand) or when the incident caused serious reputational harm.