AliExpress vs Fiverr

EU fines AliExpress €550M under DSA

The European Commission imposed a record €550 million fine on AliExpress under the Digital Services Act after finding the Alibaba-owned marketplace repeatedly listed illegal and potentially dangerous goods—counterfeit clothing, unsafe children’s toys and hazardous cosmetics—that remained on the platform for weeks. Regulators said AliExpress lacked sufficient resources to review listings, at times promoted unlawful products and failed to sanction offending sellers, putting EU consumers at risk. AliExpress disputes the decision and offered concessions in 2025. It must submit an improvement/action plan to Brussels by 20 October 2026; if unsatisfactory the Commission may set implementation deadlines, impose daily fines or other penalties. The sanction is the largest DSA fine to date, far below the theoretical maximum (up to 6% of global turnover).

• The European Commission fined AliExpress €550 million under the Digital Services Act.
• The penalty cites repeated listings of illegal and unsafe goods—counterfeit clothing, unsafe children’s toys and hazardous cosmetics—that remained on the platform for weeks.
• Regulators found AliExpress lacked sufficient resources to review listings, sometimes promoted unlawful products and failed to protect EU consumers.

EU's €3 customs fee hits Temu, Shein, AliExpress

The EU has introduced a new customs flat fee of €3 that will be charged per tariff subheading on small imports, a reform aimed at covering rising administrative costs and reducing competitive distortions between non‑EU sellers and European retailers. The rule disproportionately affects low‑price, direct‑from‑Asia marketplaces such as Temu, Shein and AliExpress, where many sellers split larger orders into multiple small parcels to avoid duties. Impact will vary by product category and business model because the fee applies per different tariff category inside a parcel (e.g., multiple product categories in one parcel can trigger multiple €3 charges). The EU cites a surge in small consignments (about 5.8 billion in 2025) and major logistics hubs such as Liège Airport processed roughly 1.1 billion e‑commerce transactions last year. Platforms may respond via order consolidation, local EU warehousing, or price strategies.

• The EU will impose a €3 customs flat fee levied per tariff subheading within imported small consignments.
• Platforms highlighted as especially affected include Temu, Shein and AliExpress, which sold low‑priced goods with direct shipping from Asia.
• The EU Commission reported about 5.8 billion small consignments in 2025 (≈15.9 million shipments per day).

Fiverr's Spoof Skincare Brand Rrelief Targets Work Stress

Fiverr has launched a satirical skincare brand, Rrelief, positioning it as a remedy for work-related stress. The campaign includes products like an anti-aging cream and a brightening concentrate, packaged with Fiverr credits worth $250 to encourage users to delegate tasks to freelancers. The humorous angle suggests that the best way to reduce stress is to outsource work, not to apply skincare. The campaign features unboxing videos from skincare creators Liah Yoo and Jasmine Phipps. Fiverr is giving away 14 kits with a total of $3,500 in credits via social media from September 28 to October 2, 2026. The creative work is directed by Nir Refuah and seeks to reposition Fiverr as a platform for reliable freelance talent, not just cheap gigs.

• Fiverr launched a spoof skincare brand Rrelief to promote work stress relief through delegation.
• The campaign includes anti-aging cream and brightening concentrate, each kit containing $250 in Fiverr credits.
• Fiverr is giving away 14 kits, totaling $3,500 in credits, via social channels from September 28 to October 2, 2026.

Fiverr Releases Its 2025 Impact Report

From its largest business accelerator cohort to-date to strengthening AI oversight policies, Fiverr is showcasing its expanded efforts, impact, and support for entrepreneurs and AI governance

90% of SMEs Affected by Cyberattacks

A Kaspersky study cited by Retail-News reports that 90% of surveyed small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Europe experienced at least one security incident within a year. The research finds that human factors — insufficient IT security knowledge, weak security culture, and poor organizational structures — are more often blamed for successful attacks than missing security technologies. Phishing affected 23% of respondents, AI-based attacks 18%, while vulnerabilities, business email compromise, supply-chain attacks and deepfakes each affected about 15%. Around 74% of surveyed companies have increased cybersecurity spending, investing in personnel, hybrid/cloud protection and security training; 65% plan further security investments. Kaspersky recommends combining modern security software with regular employee training, automated backups, strict access controls and email protection.

• Kaspersky study: 90% of surveyed European SMEs experienced at least one security incident within a year.
• Phishing affected 23% of companies; AI-based attacks affected 18%; vulnerabilities, BEC, supply-chain attacks and deepfakes each affected about 15%.
• 24% of companies cite insufficient IT/security staff knowledge as the greatest risk; only 16% attribute successful attacks to missing security solutions.