National security concerns are pushed as the reason for why the United States wants to ban TikTok. Is it a case of paranoia? Are there actually real security concerns?
The idea of personal data being accessed by third parties is cause for concern. If that data includes credit card details, you want to make doubly sure that the social commerce platforms where you shop or sell are safe. Here’s what you need to know about safety on TikTok and what you can (and should) do to safeguard yourself.
Is TikTok Shop Safe for Shoppers?
When it comes to shopper safety, Sociallyin’s CEO explains that the platform has put in place policies that align with standards. How well these policies translate into practice is another question… A quick look at comments left on forums like Reddit reveals that shoppers pretty much have a mixed response.
As for payments, it offers a number of secure payment methods like credit cards, PayPal, and Apple Pay. What’s more, it also supports popular buy now pay later (BNPL) services like Klarna.
Here are some of the other ways that it protects shoppers:
Seller application and registration process
TikTok seller registration process
Everyone, whether it’s an individual or a business seller, first needs to register and apply through TikTok’s platform. They’ll need to share details that include:
- Their full legal name (or business entity’s legal name)
- Address
- Phone number
- Email address
They’ll also need to submit ID documents and bank account statements for verification.
After registering successfully, they’ll also need to complete a shop probation period. During this time, they’ll be limited to the number of product listings they may upload and daily orders they can accept. The number of marketing accounts that they may link will also be restricted.
After this probation period, TikTok conducts spot audits to ensure sellers stick to the guidelines.
When registering, sellers also acknowledge that they’ll abide by the TikTok Shop Seller Registration Guidelines that have been created to ensure a positive, trustworthy shopping experience. If they break any of these guidelines, the platform can suspend or permanently disable access to their Seller Center account.
Policy enforcement actions
TikTok uses a point demerit system for policy violations. If a seller reaches a threshold, their account can be suspended or even deactivated.
Suspension of inactive sellers
To be able to continue trading on TikTok, sellers need to keep their accounts active. Within a 90-day period, they should’ve logged in to the Seller Center, changed product info, processed orders, and/or replied to customer service queries. If not, the platform will deactivate their product listing and shoppers will no longer be able to view their product page.
Star Shop badge
Star Shop seller criteria
TikTok has a Star Shop program that highlights TikTok Shop sellers with an outstanding track record. It uses criteria like:
- Order volume
- Product quality and satisfaction
- Fulfillment
- Customer service
- Violation points received for breaching guidelines and policies
A Star Shop badge will be displayed on the shop’s store page, helping buyers to determine if the seller has a good track record. Plus, sellers get assessed on a monthly basis, meaning that buyers have peace of mind knowing that the badge is based on recent performance.
Experiences of Shoppers
As mentioned, this is what its safety measures look like on paper. Another question that you should ask is how well this translates into practice.
On Reddit, online shoppers have left mixed reviews. Overall, many had no issue with the safety but warned about the quality.
In response to a question about whether or not buying from TikTok Shop is safe on the TikTok subreddit community, a number of users described it as “safe”.
Safety Tips for Using TikTok Shop
Keep your log-in details safe
One possible security risk that sellers face is an account takeover (ATO) scam. When this happens, you’ll lose access to your TikTok shop account. Not only will you be unable to log in, but it could also lead to financial losses as the hacker might be able to transfer your account balance to another bank account.
TikTok has identified the following as hackers’ typical modus operandi:
- Offering to enter you into a lucky draw in exchange for your account details
- Claiming that there’s a problem with logistics and they need your banking details to sort it out
- Requesting that you download apps or APK files not listed in one of the official app stores
- Sending links or attachments via chat messages
- Claiming that you need to complete an online form to verify your account
In addition to these requests, also be on the lookout for the following red flags:
TikTok Shop safety red flags
- Messages from unknown contacts or buyers/companies interested in bulk orders
- Requests to communicate outside of the official TikTok Shop platform
- Messages asking you to share your credit card, bank account, or TikTok Shop account details
At the end of the day, TikTok Shop is basically like any other online marketplace. Approach it in the same way as you would treat your email account or social media account.
- You need to have a strong password for each account.
- One-time passwords aren’t meant for sharing.
- Be cautious of public Wi-Fi and suspicious apps, websites, links, or downloads.
Do your own research
Shoppers need to do some seller as well as product research. Read product reviews. Look at the seller’s rating. If there are zero reviews or ratings, rather look for another seller.
This, though, isn’t new advice. Even leading online marketplaces like Amazon have issues with product quality.
Is TikTok Shop Safe for Sellers?
Keith Kakadia, CEO of Sociallyin, rated as one of the top social selling agencies, writes on his company’s blog that TiKTok Shop offers all the necessary features and safeguards. That being said, businesses should treat it as any other marketplace. It’s not completely protected against threats and sellers should stay vigilant about data protection.
As a matter of fact, TikTok is open about this too. The TikTok Shop Seller Terms of Service has the following to say about security:
“TikTok will implement reasonable physical, electronic, and operational safety measures for the TikTok Shop. You acknowledge and agree that: no technical means can be used to eliminate security risks completely.”
It recommends that you install appropriate, up-to-date anti-virus software on your hardware. It also reminds users that they’re ultimately responsible for taking adequate safety measures.
Here are some of the ways that it protects businesses:
Two-step verification (2SV)
To help sellers protect their accounts, TikTok offers two-step verification. This way, extra verification (in the form of a verification code sent via text message, email, or Google Authenticator) will be needed each time you want to log in. It might sound annoying, but this additional step makes it more difficult for hackers.
If you can’t sign in to your account or you no longer have access to the registered contact methods (the mobile phone number or email address), the platform will freeze your account temporarily. You’ll then need to upload documents for identity verification so that they can verify that you're indeed the account owner.
Administrative and user permissions
TikTok gives sellers the ability to assign roles to sub-accounts. Each role will have different permissions. For example, a customer service agent will be limited to using TikTok Shop messenger service, responding to customer messages, and offering after-sales services.
Here are some of the roles that you can assign to users:
- Affiliate manager
- Advertising manager
- Order fulfillment specialist
- Product management specialist
Brand authorization
TikTok has a process that sellers can use to verify themselves as authorized sellers or brand owners if they plan to use intellectual property material like a trademarked logo or brand name. Depending on the level of authorization required, sellers will need to provide a trademark certificate or a distribution letter of authorization stating that the seller has exclusive distribution rights.
If a trademark gets used without the owner’s consent, the platform has enforcement actions to deal with trademark infringements. These include removing the product or content, confiscating a seller deposit or even terminating the account.
This means that if you’re worried that other shops will use your “brand name”, rest assured that there are measures in place to prevent this from happening.
The Final Verdict
When considering all of this, there are two main safety precautions that stand out. You need to treat your online account like you would your bank account, whether you’re a seller or a buyer.
Keep your log-in details secure. Don’t click on suspicious links. You know the drill.
Shoppers then also have the added responsibility of research. If you don’t do your due diligence and exercise caution, there’s a risk that you buy a dud.
As Jon Morgan, CEO of VentureSmarter, a consulting firm that specializes in helping startups and small businesses, sums up:
“While TikTok has implemented security measures, it's essential for users to be vigilant. We recommend users to only make transactions through trusted sellers, be cautious of phishing attempts, and regularly review their privacy settings. Additionally, keeping your app updated ensures you have the latest security patches. Overall, while TikTok Shop can be safe, users should always stay informed and take precautions to protect themselves online.”
This is echoed by others like Sociallyin that also works with global brands. Their CEO, Keith Kakadia, urges sellers and shoppers to use it intelligently. If you shop and sell smartly, TikTok Shop has the potential to offer more than simply (another) online marketplace.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does TikTok Shop screen sellers?
Yes, TikTok Shop has a number of seller eligibility requirements. Sellers must first create an account on the platform after which they need to complete onboarding and compliance screening. Sellers will also need to complete an onboarding process with a third-party payment service provider in order to receive payments.
What are the risks of using TikTok Shop?
Three of the potential risks linked with using TikTok Shop are: data privacy, counterfeit goods, and payment fraud. It’s key that you read its privacy policy so that you know how your data will be used, read reviews to limit the chances of buying fake products, and use the verified and secure payment methods that TikTok supports.
What should you do if you suspect your TikTok account has been hacked?
According to the TikTok Shop Seller Terms of Service, you should inform TikTok immediately if there's any unauthorized use of your password or any other security-related breach of your account.
What’s TikTok doing to keep its platform safe?
To keep its platform safe, TikTok constantly optimizes its platform. They take a mission-based approach that’s built upon safety, transparency, and accountability. This includes asking new users to enter their age (they must be 13 to join), updating its Community Guidelines regularly, combining next-generation tech with human intuition to implement content moderation practices, and preventing users from sending images via messages or comments. Users also have controls to manage comments and messages, report content, and restrict interactions.
Does TikTok moderate content?
Yes, any content that gets uploaded to TikTok gets passed through tech-based moderation. If something gets flagged (either by users or technology), the platform has a global moderation team that will review the content.
