European Commission Fines AliExpress €550 Million for Safety and Compliance Failures

The European Commission has fined the e-commerce platform AliExpress €550 million for failing to effectively prevent the sale of illegal, counterfeit, and dangerous products, violating the Digital Services Act (DSA).

Key points

• The investigation found that AliExpress failed to adequately mitigate systemic risks, such as the sale of unsafe toys and dangerous cosmetics.
• Regulators reported that the platform's moderation systems were understaffed and ineffective at removing prohibited items, which often remained online for weeks.
• AliExpress must submit a corrective action plan by October 20, 2026, to address these compliance failures.
• The fine is the largest imposed by the European Commission to date for violations of the Digital Services Act.

Why it matters

This record-breaking fine underscores the European Union's rigorous enforcement of the Digital Services Act to ensure consumer safety and accountability for major online marketplaces.