Four online marketplaces vie to protect consumers from ‘dangerous’ content
Four digital marketplaces are making a commitment to flush out dangerous content sold online in Europe.
Alibaba (for AliExpress), Amazon, eBay and Rakuten-France all signed an agreement with The European Commission committing to quickly remove “dangerous products” sold on their European online marketplaces. Dangerous merchandise is defined as terrorist content; materials that incite hatred and violence; child sexual abuse material, unsafe products and copyright infringement, according to the European Commission.
The online companies agree to respond to notifications on dangerous products and remove listings of the unsafe products within two business days. They also promise to take action on notices from customers within five business days, according to the commission.
While the agreement requires the companies to remove dangerous product listings quickly, it does not specify the timing, according to the organization.
Information about the dangerous products will also be available on the EU Rapid Alert System, a communications network that shares information about dangerous non-food products that pose a risk to health and safety of consumers. Information is shared between 31 European countries, law enforcement authorities, and the European Commission.
To prevent the reappearance of dangerous product listings already removed, all information will be shared with sellers, so they can stay in compliance with EU product safety legislation, according to the European Commission.
The four companies and the commission will assess and share progress every six months in a report.
“The European Commission encourages other online marketplaces to follow the good example of the four companies taking the lead today, and sign up and contribute to improving product safety online for consumers in the EU,” the organization said.
Alibaba (for AliExpress), Amazon, eBay and Rakuten-France all signed an agreement with The European Commission committing to quickly remove “dangerous products” sold on their European online marketplaces. Dangerous merchandise is defined as terrorist content; materials that incite hatred and violence; child sexual abuse material, unsafe products and copyright infringement, according to the European Commission.
The online companies agree to respond to notifications on dangerous products and remove listings of the unsafe products within two business days. They also promise to take action on notices from customers within five business days, according to the commission.
While the agreement requires the companies to remove dangerous product listings quickly, it does not specify the timing, according to the organization.
Information about the dangerous products will also be available on the EU Rapid Alert System, a communications network that shares information about dangerous non-food products that pose a risk to health and safety of consumers. Information is shared between 31 European countries, law enforcement authorities, and the European Commission.
To prevent the reappearance of dangerous product listings already removed, all information will be shared with sellers, so they can stay in compliance with EU product safety legislation, according to the European Commission.
The four companies and the commission will assess and share progress every six months in a report.
“The European Commission encourages other online marketplaces to follow the good example of the four companies taking the lead today, and sign up and contribute to improving product safety online for consumers in the EU,” the organization said.