Record fine under the Digital Services Act : what changes for online platforms

A fine of €550 million: this is the penalty imposed on 20 July 2026 by the European Commission on AliExpress under the Digital Services Act (DSA). A record since the entry into force of the European regulation on digital services, and a clear signal sent to all platforms that sell or host online content, including smaller merchant sites.

A record sanction against AliExpress

The European Commission reproaches the Chinese platform for having failed to put in place the necessary mechanisms to assess and mitigate systemic risks related to the distribution of illegal, dangerous or counterfeit products intended for European consumers. This sanction is based on Regulation (EU) 2022/2065, the founding text of the DSA. AliExpress now has until 20 October 2026 to present the Commission with an action plan detailing corrective measures.

The Digital Services Act, a framework increasingly enforced

This fine is not an isolated case. It is part of a series of increasingly heavy sanctions: €120 million for the social network X in December 2025, then €200 million for the platform Temu in May 2026. The regulation provides for sanctions that can reach 6% of the platform's annual global turnover. In France, it is Arcom that is responsible for ensuring compliance with these obligations for the services concerned.

What this implies for merchant sites and online platforms

The DSA does not target only the very large platforms. As soon as a site offers online sales, hosts reviews or content posted by third parties, or distributes targeted advertising, part of the obligations of the text may apply, proportionate to its size. Sanctions are not aimed at the occasional existence of illegal content, but rather at the failure of the handling system: slow removal after reporting, lack of measures against repeat-offending sellers, or opacity of advertising registers.

• Obligation to assess and mitigate systemic risks related to the content and products disseminated
• Implementation of a reporting mechanism and effective removal of illegal content
• Enhanced transparency on targeted advertising and advertising registers
• Sanctions that can reach 6% of annual global turnover in case of a serious breach

For those responsible for e-commerce sites or B2B platforms, bringing their terms and conditions and moderation procedures into compliance becomes a priority project, on the same level as broader digital law issues.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Digital Services Act?

The Digital Services Act is a European regulation, implemented progressively since 2024, which frames the obligations of online platforms regarding content moderation, advertising transparency and the management of risks related to the products and content disseminated.

Are all companies with a website concerned?

Obligations are proportionate to the size and activity of the service: a simple brochure website is not subject to the same requirements as a marketplace or a social network, but as soon as a site hosts third-party content or online sales, certain basic obligations apply.

Who monitors compliance with the DSA in France?

It is Arcom that ensures supervision of the Digital Services Act on French territory, in connection with the European Commission, which remains competent for the very large platforms.

Sources

• Representation of the European Commission in France — AliExpress fine
• Le Monde du Droit — the EU imposes €550 million on AliExpress
• LSA Conso — lessons from the record DSA fine

This article was written with the help of artificial intelligence. Editorial policy