By skyforbes 
Introduction
The rapid growth of TikTok Shop, the integrated e-commerce marketplace within the popular social media platform TikTok, has transformed digital consumption patterns. By merging entertainment with instant shopping, TikTok has effectively blurred the line between social interaction and commerce. While this innovation offers significant opportunities for small businesses and content creators, it has also raised profound ethical and legal questions.
The concerns extend beyond consumer protection to encompass intellectual property rights, data privacy, product safety, and the wider societal impacts of fast-fashion culture. This article examines whether TikTok Shop, in its current form, can be considered an ethical commercial platform and considers the relevant legal frameworks that may govern its operation.
- Consumer Protection and Product Safety
At the core of e-commerce regulation lies consumer safety. TikTok Shop has already faced high-profile incidents raising serious doubts about product quality. A notable case involved a UK consumer who suffered second-degree burns after shapewear purchased from TikTok Shop allegedly “melted” into her skin. The seller reportedly offered only minimal redress in the form of a coupon, which falls short of the remedies envisaged under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 (UK), which guarantees goods of satisfactory quality, fit for purpose, and as described.