Topics
tardy
AI
Amazon
Image Credits:Getty Images
Apps
Biotech & Health
Climate
Image Credits:Getty Images
Cloud Computing
Commerce
Crypto
Image Credits:TikTok screenshot
endeavour
EVs
Fintech
Image Credits:TikTok screenshot
fundraise
Gadgets
Gaming
Image Credits:TikTok screenshot
Government & Policy
Hardware
Layoffs
Media & Entertainment
Meta
Microsoft
Privacy
Robotics
Security
Social
infinite
startup
TikTok
Transportation
Venture
More from TechCrunch
Events
Startup Battlefield
StrictlyVC
Podcasts
Videos
Partner Content
TechCrunch Brand Studio
Crunchboard
get hold of Us
A TikTok loophole seems to be leave some teens access to the TikTok Shop tab , despite the due east - commerce offeringbeing restricted to users who are 18 and quondam , per TikTok ’s policy . The issue appears when a teen originally dwell about their age when signing up for TikTok , by entering in a escort of birth that betoken they are already 18 or older , but then is later required by a parent to pair the invoice with their parent ’s using TikTok ’s built - in parental controls . Despite the conjugation procedure , the teen will still have access to the adult - only Shop feature film .
TikTok’sparental controls , know asFamily Pairing , allow an adult to make out a teen report ’s cover time , content choices and account privacy , after connecting the two history in the app . To use Family Pairing , the teen accesses the lineament from the app ’s configurations and pick out the option “ Teen ” when call for “ Who is using this TikTok account ? ” on the setup screen . The last step is to scan the parent ’s QR codification after the parent live on through the same gradation on their end , responding to the question that they are the “ parent ” and then display their QR computer code to be scanned .
Because the Shop is an 18 + experience , parents should screw that their teen may come across adult item in the app at time , includingsextoys(including those dubbed “ massagers ” as well as those disguised asmakeup brushes),lingerie , hemp product , and other addendum , weight gainers , vape pensand more . TikTok was also having fuss keepingvarious blackball goods out of the marketplace , according to an earlier Business Insider account .
There is no longer a billet to affirm the escort of nativity associated with a TikTok account in the app , so TechCrunch tested the insurance loophole around TikTok Shop by create a new TikTok news report for a user over the years of 18 , then partner off it with an grownup ’s account through Family Pairing . This mirror what could easy be a real - globe situation where a teen who lie about their years to produce a TikTok account is later required by their parent to let them enable paternal controls .
As required by the frame-up footstep , we suggest the exam accounting belonged to a “ teen . ” The grownup ’s account was able to couple with the teenager ’s and adjust various options . However , the TikTok Shop tab remain on the teen ’s CRT screen in various constellation , except whenRestricted Modewas turned on . But there , too , we ran into problem .
Using the parent ’s TikTok report , we tried set options using the Family Pairing characteristic . To speed up the cognitive operation of the changes going through , we boot the teen ’s phone to simulate the TikTok app being “ restarted ” after each background was applied .
Join us at TechCrunch Sessions: AI
Exhibit at TechCrunch Sessions: AI
When turn off thededicated STEM feedfor the stripling , we found the Shop tab remain accessible to the history , even after the changes were applied . This is because the exploiter had in the beginning point they were over 18 , even though they ’ve opted into parental controls , which should now indicate otherwise .
regrettably , we were not able to get the adolescent ’s history to switch over to Restricted Mode without first completely uninstalling TikTok from the gadget and then lumber back in with the teen ’s report entropy . ( likewise , we were n’t able to remove Restricted Mode from the stripling ’s accounting without uninstalling the app . )
The tests indicate there are loopholes in TikTok ’s ability to put on its parental controls and policy effectively in a situation where the teen user originally lied about their geezerhood , as many likely do . This could give the parent a false sense of security , as they believe they are making determination to make the app safer for their teen — like forcing their teenager to use Family Pairing and enable a Restricted Mode .
Even though the change may finally be applied in some fount , the Shop pill remains accessible unless Restricted Mode is enabled by the parent of the teen who lied about their age — and getting the latter to become switched on was a more convoluted summons , according to our tests .
When reach for scuttlebutt , TikTok was not ab initio aware of how this loophole would be possible , as the troupe stressed that Shop would be restricted to users 18 and up , as per its policy . Upon further research , TikTok found that the app takes into consideration what long time a user sound out they were upon polarity - up when make up one’s mind when to show TikTok Shop but not whether they have maternal controls enabled . Instead , TikTok expects drug user to supply their correct age . The party points out that TikTok offers many pecker to report potential underage chronicle , like those mistrust to be held by mass under the historic period of 13 . This could possibly help TikTok catch child on the app but not of necessity teen youngster who may take care 18 ( and up ) , those with private report or those who only follow and are followed by friends .
We ’re surprised to find that enabling paternal controls on a teen ’s account ( i.e. one with the faux age ) does not slay their access to Shop , even though doing so distinctly argue the user is not an adult .
At the very least , TikTok should prompt the parent to reassert their nipper ’s age during the Family Pairing frame-up process or alert them that their child had entered a birthdate that would make them older than 18 , as that could affect other choices around what content they are shown on the app .
It ’s not unclouded whether TikTok will essay to shut this loophole , as TikTok Shop mayeventually become a ball of fire for the social app , even if it miss money in the near term . The feature film appeals in particular to young shoppers and has the ability to descale sellers ’ access to jillion of user . With TikTok Shop , influencers ’ video are connected directly to the products they huckster , creating more opportunities for impulse buying , while also offer a Gen Z - friendly alternative to Amazon , Temu and other tocopherol - commerce retail merchant .
Update , 6/16/24 , 6:45 am et : TikTok will take into thoughtfulness the user ’s old age , but not whether they have parental controls enabled , when specify if it should show Shop . This part was updated after previously being misstated .
