Controversies
Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.
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2026
Lazada operator Recess fined VND350 million for misleading consumers in Vietnam
Fine or penalty
Vietnam's National Competition Commission issued a July 9 decision imposing a VND350 million ($13,350) administrative fine on Recess, the Ho Chi Minh City-registered legal entity operating Lazada in Vietnam, for misleading consumers by providing inaccurate information about the services it offered. Recess was ordered to address the violations and review its consumer information practices, and it cooperated during the proceedings.
Source excerpt
Along with the fine, the company was ordered to promptly address the violations and review how it provides information for consumers to ensure that the information is accurate, complete, and compliant with consumer protection laws.
The commission said it issued a decision on July 9 imposing a VND350 million ($13,350) administrative fine on Recess for misleading consumers by providing inaccurate information about the services it offered.
Recess is a legal entity registered in Ho Chi Minh City that operates Lazada in Vietnam.
2024
Retrenchment and union-consultation controversy
Lazada's January 2024 Singapore workforce reduction drew criticism after the company's union was reportedly not consulted beforehand. Questions were also raised about severance benefits and non-compete clauses connected with vested employee stock.
2023
Counterfeit-goods concerns
Lazada has faced recurring criticism over counterfeit products allegedly offered by marketplace sellers. The company has stated that it maintains a zero-tolerance policy, while LazMall was developed partly to provide consumers with more clearly authenticated official-brand channels.
2022
Thai promotional video and Royal Thai Army boycott
A Lazada promotional TikTok video featuring a wheelchair user was interpreted by critics in Thailand as mocking a member of the royal family who uses a wheelchair. The Royal Thai Army responded by prohibiting its personnel from using Lazada, creating a significant reputational controversy for the brand.
2022
Criticism of LazEarth sustainability merchandising
Sustainability experts criticized LazEarth because some products promoted as sustainable or planet-friendly were disposable plastic goods. Critics questioned whether promotional discounts on such products meaningfully reduced plastic waste.
2021
Panasonic and Lazada assist Thai authorities in counterfeit battery seizure
Issue disclosure
Panasonic and Lazada collaborated with Thai authorities in an operation that seized more than 82,000 counterfeit batteries bearing Panasonic’s trademark. The article says the batteries were intended for sale on e-commerce platforms.
Source excerpt
The raid, which took place at a warehouse outside Bangkok in May, was the result of several months of close collaboration between Panasonic's brand team and Lazada's intellectual property rights protection team, who facilitated information sharing and provided evidence to the relevant Thai authorities.
Thai police have successfully dismantled a Panasonic counterfeiting ring and recovered over 82,000 fake batteries bearing Panasonic's trademark.
As batteries are often classified as consumables, they are regularly overlooked as products that can be counterfeited, despite the risk that fake batteries are highly hazardous and can cause serious damage to a variety of household appliances.
2020
First News files copyright lawsuit against Lazada
Lawsuit filed
First News filed a copyright lawsuit against Lazada, alleging that the platform failed to address vendors selling counterfeit books. According to the filing, First News asked the court to require Lazada to remove the relevant listings and to take measures to prevent the sale of counterfeit books. The dispute concerns the handling of third-party sellers on Lazada's marketplace and the requested removal of listings and preventive measures.
Company response
Clarification — Lazada
“All complaints related to counterfeit goods and fake products on the Lazada e-commerce trading floor will be handled in accordance with the current law,”
Source excerpt
The Ho Chi Minh City-based Tri Viet Publishing House, registered as First News Co. Ltd, has filed a copyright lawsuit against Alibaba-owned online marketplace Lazada for the latter’s failure to handle vendors selling 'counterfeit books' on its platform.
“All complaints related to counterfeit goods and fake products on the Lazada e-commerce trading floor will be handled in accordance with the current law,”
First News announced the lawsuit, which it had submitted to the People’s Court of District 1 in Ho Chi Minh City on September 4, at a press conference on Wednesday morning.