The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has given e-commerce giants Shopee and Lazada 72 hours to explain why they allow fake and defective goods to be sold on their platforms.
DTI announced that it has sent demand letters to “two big e-commerce platforms” in a statement dated June 8. While Forrest Li’s Shopee and Jack Ma’s Lazada weren’t mentioned, they’re the leading websites for selling and buying goods in the country.
“We received a report regarding scammers and sellers of defective, fake, and pirated products in e-commerce platforms. I have already issued a letter addressed to two big e-commerce platforms for them to remove unregistered and unlicensed online merchants. Following numerous notifications, they were given 72 hours to explain,” Trade Secretary Afredo Pascual said.
DTI’s move comes weeks after Manila Times columnist Rigoberto Tiglao ranted about his experience of buying fake and flawed appliances on Lazada. He subsequently shared that his books are sold on Shopee without his consent.
Tiglao called DTI “inutile” for failing to police Shopee and Lazada over the proliferation of scammers on their respective platforms.
“The DTI is currently undertaking appropriate measures to intensify our campaign against these fraudulent sales practices. I assure Filipino consumers that we are here to promote and protect their welfare and make sure that these sellers will be made accountable,” Pascual added. “As we promote the use of e-commerce platforms, we want to make sure that these spaces will be safe for consumers.”