The European Union has fined Chinese online sales platform Temu 200 million euros, after European authorities said the company had not done enough to stop the sale of illegal and dangerous products on its platform.
The decision was made public by the European Commission after a nearly two-year investigation under the Digital Services Act (DSA), a new European law that forces major online platforms to more closely monitor illegal content and products. According to the investigation, European consumers were exposed to dangerous products such as children's toys with toxic substances, unsafe electric chargers and jewelry containing lead.
The European Commission accuses Temu of failing to properly identify and assess the risks posed by illegal products sold on the platform. The company's recommendation and promotion systems have also come under criticism, which Brussels says have helped to spread problematic products more widely.
This is one of the largest fines imposed so far under the EU's new digital rules. Temu has reacted by calling the measure "disproportionate" and has left open the possibility of appealing the decision.
The platform has been asked to submit a concrete plan of measures by the end of August to avoid such products in the future, while investigations into the company for other violations continue.
