AliExpress Fined Record $625 Million by EU Over DSA Violations
The European Commission has imposed a record fine exceeding $625 million on AliExpress, marking the largest penalty to date under the Digital Services Act (DSA). The e-commerce platform was penalized for failing to adequately assess and mitigate risks associated with the sale of illegal, unsafe, and counterfeit products. EU officials cited issues such as flagged products reappearing, sellers evading safeguards, and AliExpress's recommendation systems amplifying dangerous goods. AliExpress has expressed surprise at the "disproportionate" fine and announced plans to appeal the decision.
The European Commission has issued a fine of more than $625 million to AliExpress, making it the largest penalty levied under the Digital Services Act (DSA) to date. The decision follows findings that the online marketplace failed to "diligently assess and mitigate risks relating to the sale of illegal, unsafe, or counterfeit products on its e-commerce platform."
According to EU officials, problematic products that were flagged by authorities repeatedly reappeared on the platform. They also noted that sellers were able to bypass existing safeguards and that AliExpress's recommendation and advertising systems actively contributed to the amplification and spread of dangerous goods.
Further investigations by the EC revealed that AliExpress's mandatory brand authorization system was both ineffective and understaffed. The platform reportedly did not penalize traders for selling illegal products, contrary to its stated policies. Additionally, the EC criticized AliExpress for inadequately assessing how its recommender and advertising systems exacerbated the circulation of illegal products.
EC testing indicated that a "high volume of illegal products," including unsafe toys and hazardous cosmetics, continued to be available despite AliExpress's moderation efforts. The EC stated that AliExpress had been ordered to bring its platform into compliance with the DSA by June 2025 but failed to implement the required changes. The fine's amount was calculated based on the severe nature of the infringements and AliExpress's delayed response to mitigating identified risks.
In response, AliExpress stated it was "surprised" by what it termed a "disproportionate" fine and intends to appeal the decision. The company claimed that the EC overlooked its "sound risk management framework and the significant, proactive enhancements" it has made. AliExpress also highlighted that its EU market is considerably smaller than its China market and affirmed its commitment to investing in risk assessment, product safety, and consumer protection.
