EU Commission Enforces AliExpress Compliance Under Digital Services Act

On June 18, 2025, the European Commission announced significant actions regarding AliExpress’s adherence to the Digital Services Act (DSA), a legislative framework designed to enhance user and consumer safety in the digital marketplace. This announcement follows an extensive investigation into the platform's compliance with regulatory standards aimed at mitigating the risks associated with illegal products and ensuring transparency in advertising practices.

The Commission has accepted a series of commitments proposed by AliExpress, which are now binding. These commitments include improving the platform’s transparency regarding advertising and its recommender systems, pivotal components in shaping user experience and safety online. According to Henna Virkkunen, Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security, and Democracy, these measures demonstrate the DSA's effectiveness in fostering a safer and fairer online environment. "We have been able to take concrete steps to ensure a high level of safety for EU citizens while maintaining a level playing field for platforms and traders in the EU market,” she stated.

In addition to accepting AliExpress's commitments, the Commission has preliminarily identified that the platform fell short of its obligations under the DSA regarding risk assessment and mitigation related to illegal products. This finding underscores the Commission’s role in enforcing compliance and protecting consumers from potentially harmful goods available online.

The Digital Services Act, introduced in late 2020, aims to regulate large online platforms and ensure that they take responsibility for the content they host. This regulatory framework is particularly crucial in the context of e-commerce, where the rapid dissemination of illegal products poses significant risks to consumers. AliExpress, a major player in the e-commerce sector, has been scrutinized for its practices, which have raised concerns among regulators and consumer advocates alike.

Experts in digital law express varying opinions on the implications of the Commission’s actions. Dr. Emily Roberts, a digital policy researcher at the University of Oxford, remarked, "The binding commitments accepted by the Commission signal a turning point for how e-commerce platforms are held accountable under EU law. This could pave the way for stricter regulations across the board, impacting how platforms operate in Europe." Conversely, industry leaders, such as Mark Thompson, CEO of Digital Trade Association, suggest that while regulatory measures are necessary for consumer protection, they must be balanced with the need for innovation within the digital economy. "Over-regulation can stifle growth and limit the competitiveness of European platforms in the global market," Thompson asserted.

The actions taken by the Commission reflect a broader trend in international regulatory practices, where digital platforms are increasingly held accountable for their operations. The European Union has positioned itself as a leader in digital regulation, setting precedents that could influence global standards.

Looking ahead, the implications of these regulatory actions remain to be fully realized. As AliExpress implements the accepted commitments, stakeholders will be closely monitoring the platform's adherence to the DSA and the impact of these changes on consumer safety and market competition. The Commission's ongoing oversight will be critical in ensuring that the commitments translate into tangible improvements for users.

In conclusion, the European Commission's decisive action against AliExpress not only highlights the importance of regulatory compliance in the digital marketplace but also emphasizes the EU's commitment to safeguarding consumer rights in an increasingly complex online environment. As e-commerce continues to evolve, the outcomes of these measures will likely shape future legislative frameworks and industry practices on both sides of the Atlantic.