The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has teamed up with TikTok Shop to push responsible e-commerce practices, launching a seller education drive focused on legal compliance and consumer protection, a Department news release said recently.
As social media increasingly doubles as a sales channel, regulators are reminding online merchants that digital convenience comes with regulatory obligations.
The partnership, led by DTI’s E-Commerce Bureau (ECB), centers on helping sellers understand and comply with Republic Act 11967, also known as the Internet Transactions Act of 2023, which sets rules for online transactions and platform accountability.
Under a memorandum of understanding signed between DTI and TikTok Shop, the two parties will roll out awareness and capacity-building initiatives, including webinars, short educational videos, and learning modules. These materials aim to guide platform sellers on their duties and liabilities when conducting internet-based trade.
The initiative kicked off with a January 28 webinar for TikTok Shop sellers that drew over 179,000 views. The session introduced the mandate of the DTI ECB and key programs supporting the implementation of RA 11967.
DTI ECB Director Atty. Eryl Royce Nagtalon highlighted that “collaboration with a private e-commerce stakeholder such as TikTok Shop is a key initiative of the government to continuously enhance the skills and services of online sellers, including their awareness of their obligations and liabilities under the Internet Transactions Act and other regulatory requirements.”
Yves Gonzalez, TikTok Shop’s Head of Public Policy, also emphasized that “this understanding strengthens our common goal of building a more robust e-commerce sector by focusing on and prioritizing the continuous development of our sellers. Both TikTok Shop and DTI ECB recognize the positive change and impact that ongoing learning brings to our sellers, ultimately contributing to a vibrant and future-proof e-commerce ecosystem.”