BPOM: Over Half of Online Cosmetics Violations Found on TikTok

The Food and Drug Monitoring Agency (BPOM) has stated that more than 50 per cent of online cosmetics distribution violations uncovered during its 2026 surveillance intensification originated from the TikTok platform. BPOM Head Taruna Ikrar said in Jakarta on Monday that during the intensified monitoring of illegal cosmetics in 2026, conducted from 11 to 22 May 2026, out of 9,617 monitored links, 9,042 (94.02 per cent) violated distribution regulations, with an estimated economic value of Rp260.7 billion. According to an analysis by BPOM’s cyber team, TikTok’s Live Shopping feature is considered the most attractive for selling. Additionally, TikTok’s user demographics differ from other social media platforms. “Many overclaims occur on TikTok,” Taruna said. He added that due to the way TikTok’s algorithm works, where liking one piece of content causes similar content to appear, criminals exploit this so their products are seen and receive many likes. “So that is why the majority are on TikTok. It is highly likely that criminals in this field are simply exploiting the ‘like’ aspect. The more interesting it is, the more people like it. And when they like it, the search engine system will keep showing it on their social media,” he said. On that occasion, he explained that skincare and beauty products are among the top 10 product categories with the highest sales revenue on TikTok Shop for the period of December 2025 to June 2026. “Among other product categories, total revenue is estimated to reach Rp35.61 trillion with a growth rate of 79.73 per cent. Very high,” he said. According to him, this situation creates loopholes that can be exploited by irresponsible parties to sell illegal cosmetics or non-compliant products. Therefore, his agency is intensifying its surveillance. He also highlighted the increase in the number of violating cosmetics links found. In 2025, he said, 5,313 cosmetics sales links were found to be in violation of regulations. Taruna assessed that the increase in findings indicates that BPOM is becoming more effective in its surveillance, due to improved ability to identify various modes of violation that continue to evolve in the digital era, as well as the synergy and collaboration continuously built with partners.