Temu must make recommendation algorithms transparent to curb illegal goods - Heise

The European Commission has accepted the action plan submitted by online platform Temu. The move is a small win for EU platform regulators as they work to enforce the strict requirements of the Digital Services Act (DSA) and curb the sale of illegal and potentially dangerous products online . Temu has drawn public and regulatory scrutiny in recent months, as unauthorized, counterfeit or noncompliant goods have repeatedly appeared on the rapidly growing Chinese digital marketplace. The operator of the bargain-shopping portal has committed to structural corrective measures, which the Commission has now officially approved. Continue after ad Temu’s decision to comply follows the EU’s €200 million fine imposed in May . The Commission found that the platform had failed to meet its basic DSA obligations to conduct a comprehensive risk assessment. With these commitments, the company promises to overhaul its internal processes to fully protect European consumers. First, under the agreed package of measures , Temu will analyze the risks specific to its platform. The company also plans to use reliable metrics to assess how effectively its measures reduce the risk of illegal content spreading on the marketplace. Curbing fake discounts and countdown timers Another issue is the limits of current content moderation. Temu will conduct a detailed analysis of whether and how its recommendation systems and algorithms unintentionally encourage or even amplify the spread of illegal goods. The company has also agreed to investigate deliberate manipulation more closely. It will examine how some sellers exploit platform features to artificially boost potentially illegal listings and make them more prominent. To underscore the seriousness of these commitments, the Commission has set a strict timeline. Temu has four months to submit a thorough interim assessment, which must cover a continuous six-month period. The aim is to ensure that the agreed requirements do not remain theoretical, but are put into practice. ( kbe ) Don't miss any news – follow us on Facebook , LinkedIn or Mastodon . This article was originally published in German . It was translated with technical assistance and editorially reviewed before publication.