The European Commission has taken serious action against AliExpress, the online marketplace owned by China’s Alibaba Group. The platform has become the subject of an official investigation over the alleged large-scale distribution of prohibited goods. The inquiry concerns potential violations of the Digital Services Act (DSA) — a European law designed to protect internet users from harmful content, disinformation, and illegal trade.
AliExpress is classified as a Very Large Online Platform (VLOP), which means it must comply with stricter requirements related to content moderation, transparency, and accountability. According to the European Commission, the platform has failed to ensure proper control over sellers and has allowed the circulation of products that may be dangerous to health or banned for sale in the EU. Among the most common violations are illegal medications, questionable dietary supplements, and adult content distributed through hidden links or affiliate programs.
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In response to these accusations, AliExpress has pledged to introduce several improvements. The company has committed to:
- improving its complaint and illegal content reporting system
- making its advertising and recommendation algorithms more transparent
- enforcing stricter rules for seller verification
- providing more technical data to research organizations
The European Commission believes these steps will help significantly reduce the spread of illegal goods and make the platform safer for users across Europe. However, if the investigation confirms serious violations, AliExpress could face hefty fines and be required to develop an official corrective action plan. This case sends a clear message to all major online platforms: there will no longer be any “gray zones” in the European Union. Transparency, accountability, and user safety have become non-negotiable priorities.
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