Alibaba Group has agreed to pay $600 million to settle allegations related to the sale of illegal drugs as part of an investigation by authorities in the United States.
According to investigators, the probe focused on claims that some third-party sellers used Alibaba's online platforms to market and distribute regulated or illegal pharmaceutical products in violation of US laws.
Alibaba said the settlement does not amount to an admission of wrongdoing but reflects its decision to resolve the matter and avoid prolonged legal proceedings. The company added that it has strengthened its compliance systems and introduced stricter measures to monitor listings and remove prohibited products.
US authorities said the agreement includes enhanced oversight and commitments by Alibaba to improve its efforts to detect and prevent the sale of illegal drugs through its platforms.
The settlement marks the latest regulatory action involving global e-commerce platforms as governments increase scrutiny of online marketplaces to ensure compliance with consumer protection and public health laws.