Consumer watchdog Which? has accused Amazon and other major online marketplaces of allowing dangerous products to reach shoppers in the U.K.
Here's what to know
In an Instagram post, Which? said that "major online marketplaces like Amazon are failing to stop dangerous products from ending up in your online shopping basket."
The video showed several Which? digital ad vans driving around, asking very pointed questions like, "Alexa, why is Amazon selling illegal children's toys?" and "[Prime Minister] Andy Burnham, don't bow to tech giants. It's now or never: make online shopping safe."
According to the caption, the proposed rules would impose steep fines on companies that violate the law, make tech giants legally accountable for product safety, and stop platforms from making money from dangerous goods.
Which? described the pending rules as a chance to shift legal responsibility onto the platforms themselves, holding the largest marketplaces accountable for what they sell and profit from, rather than leaving consumers to navigate risky listings on their own.
By opening with the line, "'Safety is our top priority.' That's what the tech giants keep telling us," the group framed its criticism around the mismatch between those assurances and what shoppers encounter on major e-commerce sites.
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One commenter wrote, "I can't believe the number of unsafe products sold on Amazon. It's time to do something about it."
More background
Which? argued that platforms are still making money when unsafe products are sold by individuals, raising the stakes for families who rely on those sites for everyday purchases.
The post also directly appealed to Prime Minister Andy Burnham, tagging him and saying, "You have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to stand up to them and end this."
One Instagrammer wrote, "Please call on @andy.burnham to make online shopping safe and keep dangerous kids toys out of our homes!"
Another commented, "Come on @andy.burnham, make online shopping safe!"
Which? said that online marketplaces "won't stop unless they are legally forced to."
Where can I learn more?
Governments and companies around the world are responding to dangerous products and consumer safety concerns.
• In Washington state, lawmakers pushed a bill restricting sodium nitrite after deadly misuse cases tied to Amazon sales.
• In the U.K., investigators found dangerous pesticides in tampons, prompting fresh scrutiny of consumer safety rules.
• Major retailers have faced pressure to remove dangerous chemicals from food packaging as health concerns mount.
• In Canada, officials moved to restrict nicotine pouch sales amid concerns about youth access and health risks.
• In Denver, voters weighed a citywide vape ban as opponents warned of business fallout.
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