TikTok Pte. Ltd has been fined VND880 million (approximately US$36,000) by Vietnam’s National Competition Commission for multiple violations of the country’s consumer protection laws. The decision also requires the company to cease all offending practices and overhaul its policies to comply with regulations.

The penalty follows a regulatory inspection into TikTok’s compliance with user protection measures. According to the Commission under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the company  -  headquartered at 1 Raffles Quay, Singapore  -  committed a series of violations that failed to safeguard consumer rights.

The most notable breach was TikTok’s failure to provide users with the option to opt in or out of having their personal information used for advertising, product promotion, or service suggestions.

Additionally, TikTok included prohibited clauses in its general terms and conditions  -  violating provisions that ban unfair terms in standard-form contracts.

The platform was also found to have misled consumers by offering incomplete or unclear information about the nature and terms of interactions between users and the service provider.

Crucially, TikTok did not establish specific complaint-handling procedures or methods tailored to vulnerable users  -  such as children, elderly individuals, or people with disabilities  -  who may face more difficulty asserting their rights or navigating disputes.

In response, the National Competition Commission has ordered the company to discontinue these practices immediately. TikTok must also conduct a comprehensive review of its consumer policies, ensuring they are fully aligned with Vietnam’s legal standards for transparency, consent, and equitable user protection.

Tam An