The European Commission has fined AliExpress €629 million for failing to adequately police its marketplace against illegal and counterfeit products. According to Inside Retail Asia, the penalty is part of the EU's broader crackdown on online platforms that allow the sale of dangerous or counterfeit goods.
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The Commission stated that AliExpress left illegal products, including counterfeit items and unsafe toys, available on its platform for several weeks before taking action. This delay violated the EU's Digital Services Act, which requires platforms to swiftly remove content that violates consumer protection or intellectual property laws.
This fine underscores the increasing regulatory pressure on e-commerce giants to ensure product safety and authenticity. AliExpress, owned by Alibaba Group, has faced similar scrutiny in other jurisdictions as authorities worldwide intensify efforts to combat the sale of counterfeit goods online.