Overview

• TikTok Shop launched in Germany on March 31, 2025, offering seamless in-app purchasing with fully managed logistics for merchants.
• Critics warn that the platform's streamlined purchase flow exacerbates impulse buying, particularly among children and adolescents.
• Buy-now-pay-later (BNPL) payment options on TikTok are flagged as a potential driver of overspending and consumer debt risks.
• Concerns persist over the enforcement of age-verification measures meant to restrict under-18s from accessing the shopping feature.
• Data privacy compliance under German and EU laws remains under scrutiny as TikTok collects extensive user information through its e-commerce model.