‘Yes, it’s genuine’: TikTok’s new Amazon copycat full of cheap Chinese goods

TikTok's 'Shop' Duplicates Amazon, Filled With Low-priced Chinese Items, Out In The US

TikTok has launched its Shop marketplace, which is seen as the app's largest opportunity for generating more revenue. This platform has been made available to some users in the United States and presently hosts a range of low-priced goods from China.

The Shop feature of the social media app is placed in a prime spot between the For You and Following feeds. When users watch videos, they can easily access this feature. The Shop option showcases a continuous selection of “recommended” products that are randomly displayed. Bloomberg has reviewed an older version of the app, which presents products like a counterfeit Nike sweatshirt for just US$2.99 and a “naughty dwarf” sitting on a toilet statue for US$6.99.

A lot of the products on offer state that they will be delivered from China, the home country of ByteDance, which owns TikTok. This could potentially revive concerns from US regulators, as it could lead to Chinese sellers gaining access to user data.

According to a report by Bloomberg, TikTok Shop plans to go head-to-head with Amazon in selling around $20 billion worth of products by the end of this year.

People who are knowledgeable about the situation have called it a "community commerce" undertaking during internal discussions. This implies that the app's capacity to unite individuals through their unique interests will be exploited.

US government officials recently interrogated the CEO of TikTok concerning the app's supposed links to the Chinese Communist Party. It's a notable event given the ongoing tense relationship between the US and China. The lawmakers want to know more about how the app collects data and how that data is utilized, alongside who else has access to the information. There are ongoing concerns about privacy and national security when it comes to Chinese-owned tech companies operating within the US.

American legislators are interrogating the CEO of TikTok about rumors that the app is connected to the Chinese Communist Party.

However, the initial edition of the encounter does not indicate any indication of the highly personalized calculation TikTok has become renowned for in its video stream. This has played a vital role in the platform's ability to attract and engage users.

However, the Shop platform is burdened with comparable issues as Amazon, regarding an unregulated marketplace.

The products in different groups and subgroups provide an immense selection. For instance, in Home & Kitchen, you can view a tiny car trash can priced at 37 cents, a computer desk measuring four feet for $16, and a three-piece satin sheet set made of polyester costing $8.43.

Incorrectly spelled brand names and unrealistic prices on numerous listings could be warning signs of counterfeit sales.

TikTok responded by stating that the article contains misinformation and does not accurately depict the user experience on their platform.

The store emphasizes costs that are incredibly affordable and displayed in a bold font.

In the blog section, the coupons are noticeable in red while free shipping offers are highlighted in green. TikTok generates a feeling of immediacy by indicating the number of times a product has been purchased alongside a timer displaying the remaining hours, minutes, and seconds of a sale.

There are no brand names mentioned until you click on a product. The names of the products appear to be designed more for search engines and computer programs rather than actual people who are shopping.

For instance, there is a product description that highlights the "3 Piece High Waist Workout Shorts" which have been designed to lift the buttocks and control the tummy while also featuring ruched detailing and a smile shape for added comfort during yoga practices.

Shein, which was established in China but now operates in Singapore, is triumphing over Amazon and Walmart in the African market.

The most noticeable category is labeled as "Today's Deals". When looking through the Bloomberg feed, the product that was given the most attention was a face serum made with snail mucin that has become quite popular on the app.

The merchant, identified by the name FIFTHLINYOUNG-4, promoted the serum on sale for US$7.99, which is lower than the regular price of US$39. However, the price advertised by the seller is not similar to the US$25 price that COSRX, the brand owner, has on its website.

The person selling on TikTok claims that the item is produced in China, although the packaging of COSRX goods indicate that they are created in Korea.

"Hey there, the seller replied on TikTok, confirming that it is indeed authentic. They also mentioned that the new store is presently providing discounts on events. However, when questioned about the origin of the product being China, the seller did not offer any response."

CORSX did not give an instant reply when asked to provide a statement.

FIFTHLINYOUNG-4 has only listed one skincare product, which is the snail mucin. This particular shop also offers other products such as a drone that was initially being sold at US$999, but is now marked down to only US$88. In addition, they also offer a tooth whitening kit that comes with photos that do not correspond to the brand mentioned in the shop's listing.

According to a representative from TikTok, there are more than 200,000 confirmed merchants from the United States who are selling authentic items on TikTok Shop. This includes a whopping 150,000 beauty products that have gone through our rigorous validation process and come from well-known names in the industry.

Last June, an individual who has knowledge about the firm's US Shop plan revealed that the company was giving priority to American merchants.

It seems like the plan has shifted. If you do a fast search, you can see many Chinese labels on TikTok Shop. Amazon has removed these brands from its site for fabricating positive reviews from buyers.

The people of Malaysia were deeply touched by the sight of a disabled young boy who participated in a race with his teacher. Some even admitted that they were brought to tears upon seeing the heartwarming moment.

In June of 2021, the company known as Guangdong SACA Precision Manufacturing was removed from the popular e-commerce website. However, products under their brands Taotronics and VAVA can now be found and purchased on the social media platform, TikTok.

The popular headset manufacturer, Mpow, has also been taken off of Amazon, along with their parent company Shenzhen Qianhai Patozon Network & Technology.

Before checking out on TikTok, users are provided with terms that state the platform does not make any assurances, guarantees or promises about the accuracy, completeness or currency of the content available on TikTok Shop, whether expressed or implied.

We cannot see or regulate the material present on those websites or resources, and you accept and understand that we are not responsible for any of their content.

An Indonesian domestic worker has been sent to a Singaporean prison after being caught stealing red packets, which are traditional gifts of money given during the Lunar New Year holiday. The woman's crimes were revealed in a video shared on the social media app TikTok.

If a person decides to buy something from the Shop section, they can add items from various sellers to their cart and complete the purchase in a single checkout process.

According to Bloomberg, TikTok is now accepting payments directly through its mobile application, which means they will now have access to more personal information from their users, like credit card data, billing details, and shipping addresses.

This situation could potentially result in the company being subject to more strict laws and regulations. TikTok has been receiving criticism and attention from various levels of government due to concerns over its handling of user data privacy.

National security concerns have arisen regarding the Chinese ownership of the app, as people speculate on whether Americans may be tracked or have their behavior influenced through the app.

The organization announced that they are taking measures to safeguard confidential information of their American clientele. They will limit access to such data to their US-based personnel via a distinct department called USDS.

A spokesperson for TikTok US stated that user data protection is ensured through storage and management within the United States by USDS. Additionally, transactions facilitated through TikTok Shop utilize third-party payment platforms, which also manage all associated data.

The city of New York has prohibited TikTok from being installed on any official work devices in order to ensure data security.

The people who make laws have been paying close attention to whether the app gathers information about where users are. Before releasing Shop, the company made changes to the app to make sure it doesn't collect specific or close GPS data, only general information about the location.

The Shop feature on TikTok gives access to user information to the sellers. According to TikTok's Buyer Policy, the sellers are in charge of the data they gather about the users through TikTok Shop, and TikTok is not accountable for their adherence to the appropriate regulations.