Topics
Latest
AI
Amazon
Image Credits:Jonathan Raa/NurPhoto / Getty Images
Apps
Biotech & Health
Climate
Cloud Computing
Commerce
Crypto
endeavor
EVs
Fintech
Fundraising
Gadgets
punt
Government & Policy
computer hardware
layoff
Media & Entertainment
Meta
Microsoft
concealment
Robotics
Security
Social
Space
inauguration
TikTok
transport
Venture
More from TechCrunch
event
Startup Battlefield
StrictlyVC
Podcasts
video recording
Partner Content
TechCrunch Brand Studio
Crunchboard
get hold of Us
Temu , the downhearted - monetary value Es - commerce marketplaceowned by Formosan online retail merchant Pinduoduo , is to face the European Union ’s strictest rulesafter authority designatedthe party a “ very large online platform ” ( VLOP ) under the Digital Services Act ( DSA ) .
The newscomes some two week afterEuropean consumer tribute grouping filed interconnected complaints against Temu over an allege raft of aver breaches relating to DSA , and a class after Temuopened its first office in the region . Temu afterwards went on topass 75 million usersin the EU , concord to some report , a figure that sits well above the EU ’s 45 million threshold for being assort as a VLOP .
Additional scrutiny
The general obligations set out under the DSAhave applied since February , but an extra readiness of more stringent rule came into forcelast August , initially impacting19 separate platformsdesignated as a VLOP or very prominent online hunt locomotive engine ( VLOSE ) . This deal intersection belonging to Alibaba , Alphabet , Amazon , Apple , ByteDance , Meta , Microsoft and Snap , among others . In December , anadditional three smut siteswere give VLOP status , while Temu ’s Taiwanese retail rivalShein was made a VLOPin April .
Temu is now the 24th company to face excess obligations under the DSA , meaning the company will face extra examination over its use of algorithms , AI , content ranking , testimonial tools and suchlike , while having to assess and mitigate any “ systemic peril ” that stem from Temu ’s service , including addressing imitative , illegal or unsafe products listed on its platform .
In mid - May , BEUC — the European consumer establishment representing 45 consumer protection groups across the bloc — filed a formal complaint against Temu while request that lawgiver indicate the platform as a VLOP . In bicycle-built-for-two , more than a dozen BEUC extremity organisation filed complaints with their national consumer auspices authority , accusing Temu of violate DSA .
And it seems the European Commission has listened .
While the additional rules that enforce to VLOPs have been obligate since last August , Temu will have until the remnant of September to comply due to a four - calendar month grace period given from the detail of notification — starting today .
Join us at TechCrunch Sessions: AI
Exhibit at TechCrunch Sessions: AI
From that point , Temu will call for to work with the Commission and Irish Digital Services Coordinator — Temu ’s European HQ is in Dublin — to provide regular danger assessment reports , once at the start , and then on a annual basis proceed forward .
“ Temu acknowledges the European Commission ’s designation of our political platform as a Very Large Online Platform ( VLOP ) under the Digital Services Act ( DSA ) , ” a Temu interpreter said in a instruction issued to TechCrunch . “ We are fully committed to adhering to the rule and regularisation outlined by the DSA to ensure the rubber , transparency , and protection of our user within the European Union . ”