The decision was one of the EU’s toughest moves against major online platforms under the new Digital Services Act (DSA), which tightens requirements for internet companies in the areas of user security and content control.
According to Euronews, the investigation against Temu began in October 2024. Regulators were checking whether the platform fulfills the obligations stipulated for so-called “very large online platforms” in the EU.
During the inspection, the European Commission organized test purchases through an independent testing organization. The results were alarming. A large proportion of chargers purchased on Temu failed basic electrical safety tests, and many toys for babies contained dangerous chemicals or small parts that could cause children to suffocate.
In addition to the goods themselves, the EU’s claims also affected the platform’s operations. Brussels believes that Temu’s recommendation algorithms and marketing programs involving Influencers contributed to the spread of dangerous products among users.
“Risk assessment is not a formal ticking of boxes, but the basis of the Digital Services Act,” said Henna Virkkunen, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission for Technology Sovereignty, Security and Democracy.
According to her, Temu’s risk assessment was superficial, not based on sufficient evidence and did not reflect the real scale of threats to consumers.
Temu now has until August 28, 2026, to submit a detailed remediation plan to Brussels. If the company fails to meet the regulators’ requirements, the European Commission may impose additional regular fines on top of the 200 million euros already imposed.
At the time of publication, Temu had not publicly commented on the decision.
Note that EU pressure on major digital platforms is intensifying as new European regulations come into force. The Digital Services Act requires major Internet companies to more actively fight illegal goods, dangerous content and systemic risks for users.
