Starting November 13, Meta reduces its ad-free plan by 40%. New prices are €6 ($6.36) for web users and €8 ($8.48) for mobile. These moves try to satisfy EU regulators as investigations continue into Meta's ad practices.

From December 13, 2024, the EU's GPSR will mandate extended safety data for online marketplaces. Amazon and eBay are struggling to meet the standards, citing issues like confusing layouts and technical glitches affecting sellers and buyers alike.

Affirm has launched in the U.K. amid a changing BNPL market. With stricter regulations on the horizon, Affirm aims to attract users by offering no late fees and fixed interest rates. Affirm’s valuation rose to $13B this year, and the company expects profitability by 2025. Despite not having major U.S. partnerships like Amazon and Apple, Affirm hopes to expand with other brands. They currently work with UK-based Alternative Airlines and Fexco, setting the stage for broader adoption in Europe.

Apple may face fines as EU regulators enforce the Digital Markets Act. The company’s iPadOS has been targeted over compliance concerns, as it restricts app developers and limits user options. Apple’s recent tax woes include a $14.4B payment to Ireland and a $1.8B fine over its App Store practices. Under DMA rules, Apple could be fined up to 20% of its annual revenue. The EU aims to curb Apple’s market dominance, and the potential penalty could set a precedent for tech giants.

China’s major e-commerce platforms, led by Pinduoduo, face pushback over refund-only policies that let buyers get refunds without returning items. Taobao intercepted 400K requests daily and compensated merchants $42M since August to curb losses from “no-return” refunds. New rules focus on protecting sellers while balancing buyer convenience.

Amazon and Google sued Bigboostup.com, a fake review website, on Oct 28, 2024. The site allegedly sold fake reviews targeting Amazon and Google platforms. Amazon’s legal actions follow its crackdown in 2023 when it blocked 250M fake reviews globally and took action against 150 review brokers. Claire O'Donnell, Amazon's director of Trust & Store Integrity, says the joint lawsuit strengthens customer protection efforts. Both lawsuits were filed in U.S. federal courts, aiming to halt deceptive review practices in e-commerce.

The EU has launched a formal DSA probe into Temu’s marketplace, citing concerns over illegal products, addictive design features, and transparency issues. A possible 6% global revenue fine looms for parent company Pinduoduo if violations are found. This action comes as part of the EU’s push to tighten oversight of online marketplaces and consumer protections, with Temu joining AliExpress in facing heightened scrutiny under the DSA. The EU’s decision to investigate follows concerns raised by various member states and consumer groups.

From November 11, 2024, Amazon sellers with UK customers must either provide a domestic return address or a prepaid return label. If neither is available, Amazon will refund customers automatically without requiring item returns. Sellers from France, Germany, Italy, and Spain must adapt quickly to avoid losing both sales and inventory. By setting these stricter rules, Amazon aims to enhance the customer experience but adds new responsibilities and costs for international sellers. Adjusting systems and processes to meet the 4-day response time is crucial to avoid unwanted refunds.

The UK will ban disposable vapes on June 1, 2025, a win for Trojan Electronics' campaign. With vaping risks addressed, focus now turns to e-waste from small devices, stronger repair laws, battery recycling, and VAT-free electronics repairs.

Uber Eats' $950M acquisition of Foodpanda in Taiwan faces delays as the FTC waits for application materials. Consumer groups and unions raise concerns over potential monopolies and impacts on worker rights.

The AICPDF has asked the CCI to investigate Swiggy, Blinkit, and Zepto for predatory pricing. Traditional retailers fear that these quick commerce giants are offering discounts that threaten their survival. The sector is set to exceed $6B in annual sales.

Several Polish universities, including those in Krakow and Poznan, cut ties with Shein following student protests over ethical concerns. Shein’s plan to open showrooms in 5 cities, part of a promotional tour, faces strong backlash. The decision impacts Shein's presence in Poland, where its app has over 6M users.

Starting soon, canceling subscriptions like Amazon Prime or streaming services will be as simple as signing up. The FTC's new "click-to-cancel" rule is designed to eliminate obstacles, going into effect 180 days after publication.

The Ministry of Labor opposes Uber Eats’ $9B foodpanda acquisition, announced in May. The Ministry informed Taiwan’s Fair Trade Commission that worker rights issues, including pay, must be addressed first. The deal is currently under review, pending submission of key documents by both companies.

Amazon extends its returns window for items bought between Nov 1 and Dec 31, 2024. Shoppers can return these items until Jan 31, 2025. Apple products have a shorter window, eligible for returns until Jan 15, 2025.

Amazon is accused of using deceptive discounts on product pages in Germany. The consumer center Baden-Württemberg argues that Amazon’s reference prices violate EU law by not showing the lowest price from the last 30 days. Legal action is underway.

TikTok is facing lawsuits from 13 U.S. states and Washington, D.C. They accuse it of causing harm to young users, citing mental health impacts and addiction to its app. The lawsuits aim to increase financial penalties on the platform.

The US government is considering dismantling Google after it was found guilty of violating antitrust laws. The Department of Justice may recommend separating its search engine from Android, Chrome, and Play Store.

The European Court of Justice (ECJ) has ruled that selling pharmacy-only medicines via Amazon without obtaining explicit customer consent for data processing violates GDPR. Michael Spiegel, owner of Linden Pharmacy, has been selling drugs like Aspirin via Amazon since 2017, but competitor Hermann Vogel jr. contested this practice. The ruling affirms that health data protection must be prioritized, requiring clear consent before processing any sensitive health information.

Shein-branded outlets have appeared in several cities in Spain and the Netherlands, but they are unauthorized. Shein warns these stores aren't affiliated with the company. The situation is growing, with Shein confirming it sells products only via its official online platforms.

eBay will prohibit private sellers from listing e-bikes and e-bike batteries in the UK starting 31 October 2024. This move follows rising concerns over lithium-ion battery fires, with 155 e-bike fires reported in 2023. Only approved business sellers can list these products. eBay aims to boost consumer safety, following CE audits introduced last year. Safety experts and insurers highlight the increased risks from second-hand batteries, urging caution when using lithium-ion powered devices.

The EU is increasing scrutiny on Temu, asking for proof of compliance with the Digital Services Act. Temu must show how it prevents illegal products and ensure seller traceability by October 21. If not, it could face steep penalties.

Shein and Temu may see minimal impact from the White House's proposed de minimis changes, thanks to their diversified supply chains. Smaller businesses, however, could face higher costs and complicated customs processes.

Just Eat has warned customers in the UK and Ireland about a dangerous contamination of mustard products containing undeclared peanuts. This follows an FSA investigation, affecting 66 products, as peanut allergies pose a life-threatening risk.

Huel faces a second ban in two months as the UK’s Advertising Standards Authority finds its Instagram ad misleading. The advert made unsupported claims about the nutritional value and cost-effectiveness of the Daily Greens product. The watchdog also previously banned a Facebook ad in August.

American Eagle filed a lawsuit against Amazon for unauthorized use of its Aerie and Offline by Aerie trademarks in ads and URLs, redirecting customers to substandard knock-offs. The lawsuit demands tripled damages and a halt to infringements. AEO claims Amazon’s tactics began after AEO denied Amazon’s request to sell Aerie products, aiming to protect its brand. Amazon’s Counterfeit Crimes Unit fights counterfeits but the line between counterfeits and ‘dupes’ remains blurred.

Google overturned a $1.6B fine from the EU's General Court, disputing a 2019 ruling on its digital ad practices. The court annulled the fine, citing errors in the European Commission's assessment of Google's contracts. The decision comes amidst broader regulatory scrutiny of Google’s business across the globe.

After two hours of intense debate in a Washington court, TikTok’s future in the U.S. hangs in the balance. Judges are examining whether a law targeting its Chinese ownership is constitutional, which could lead to a nationwide ban.

The CMA provisionally ruled that Google abused its dominant ad market position since 2015. This could lead to fines up to 10% of Google’s global turnover. Google disagrees, saying the claims misinterpret the ad tech sector.

The EPA has approved rules in Southern California allowing communities to sue warehouses for truck emissions. These warehouses are linked to a 20% rise in nitrogen dioxide levels. Non-compliance rates are high, with 1,400 out of 2,000 warehouses failing to meet standards.

Australia plans to set a minimum age of 14-16 for social media use, aiming to reduce social harm. This could make it one of the first countries to enforce such a rule. Critics argue it may drive youth into riskier, unregulated platforms.

The Biden administration plans to change the "de minimis" import rule, affecting Shein and Temu. The new proposal will add tariffs and more inspections to their shipments, aiming to protect US workers and businesses.

India's Competition Commission (CCI) found Amazon and Flipkart guilty of violating competition laws by favoring specific sellers. This investigation comes as quick commerce challenges their dominance in India's $50B e-commerce market.

U.S. CPSC commissioners call for an investigation into Shein and Temu after deadly baby products were sold. The probe may impact the use of a legal loophole, de minimis, that allows cheap imports to bypass tariffs.

The Federal Cartel Office is investigating Amazon's price control mechanisms and brand gating. It surveyed 2,000 third-party retailers to understand the impact of Amazon's algorithms, which can limit competition on its marketplace.

Two CPSC commissioners are calling for a probe into e-commerce giants Shein and Temu. They want to examine their safety practices, particularly after reports of dangerous baby and toddler items. Both companies say they prioritize safety.

Uber fined $310M for mishandling European drivers' data, including taxi licenses and medical records. The fine follows last year's $10M penalty and was sparked by a complaint from 170 French drivers. Uber plans to appeal the decision.

Alibaba finished a three-year regulatory rectification after being fined $2.6B for monopolistic practices in 2021. The completion led to a 3% rise in its shares. China's SAMR guided the process, ensuring Alibaba's compliance with antitrust laws.

eBay UK's new policy reduces free private seller listings from 1,000 to 300 monthly, starting October 1st. A fixed 3% international fee will apply to all regions, and cash on collection payments will be removed for increased security.

India's Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal warns of e-commerce disruption, citing Amazon's $715M loss as evidence of predatory pricing. With e-commerce doubling every four years, concerns rise over the future of small retailers.

Just Eat's ad, featuring McDonald's burgers, has been banned by the UK's ASA for targeting minors. Despite using age filters, the ASA ruled that the ad violated the CAP code by not preventing exposure to those under 16.

Shein has filed a lawsuit against Temu, alleging IP theft, counterfeiting, and unethical practices. The lawsuit comes as Temu expands aggressively into the US, challenging Shein's dominance. The case highlights broader concerns about labor rights, online marketplaces, and the role of Chinese e-commerce giants.

Temu has outpaced Amazon in Denmark. 71% of Danes recognize Temu, while 22% made a purchase within the last year. The Chinese platform is now more popular than Amazon and eBay, making it the third most recognized online store in Denmark.

The FTC has finalized a rule prohibiting fake reviews, including those generated by AI. The rule, effective 60 days after its Federal Register publication, targets deceptive practices like fake endorsements, AI-made reviews, and review censorship. Violations could result in fines up to $51,744 per incident.

An investigation revealed that Deliveroo and Uber Eats drivers in Belgium use fake accounts to dodge taxes and avoid legal issues. Some drivers use borrowed profiles to exceed tax thresholds, while others work without documentation or to maintain unemployment benefits.

The EU is probing Delivery Hero and Glovo over potential cartel behavior, including market division and sharing sensitive information. If found guilty, these companies could face fines of up to 10% of their global turnover.

Amazon will trial its Prime Air drone delivery service in the UK, partnering with six organizations. This test aims to gather data on drone safety, airspace integration, and regulatory clarity. The goal is to modernize UK airspace.

A new report reveals Etsy profits from at least 44 stores in illegal Israeli settlements. The report highlights stores in Ariel and Maale Adumim, emphasizing Etsy's complicity in alleged war crimes. Etsy could face legal challenges for violating anti-money laundering laws, especially in Ireland. Human rights organizations demand immediate action from Etsy, accusing it of aiding in the apartheid system against Palestinians.

Turkey lowers its de minimis from €150 to €30, doubles customs duty to 60% for non-EU goods, and introduces an additional 20% Special Consumption Tax. The new regulations start on August 21, aiming to curb the influence of Temu and protect local businesses.

TikTok has agreed to permanently stop its Lite Rewards program across the EU, following the European Commission’s concerns about potential risks to minors. This decision aligns with the new Digital Services Act and marks a significant regulatory win.