The French consumer watchdog DGCCRF has opened a full investigation into Shein’s online marketplace. This action comes in response to alarming reports about the sale of childlike sex dolls. Shein, meanwhile, has plans to open its first permanent physical store in Paris this Wednesday. This action has resulted in protests from alarmed residents.
On Sunday, France’s consumer watchdog raised a criminal complaint to the prosecution service. They focused on the easy access to these products that would allow people to break laws prohibiting child porn. The Directorate General for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control found that the dolls’ descriptions and categorizations on Shein’s platform left “little doubt” about their pornographic nature, raising alarms about minors’ ability to access such content.
In response to the scrutiny, Shein announced on Monday that it would ban the sale of all sex dolls worldwide. The app’s new owner is now facing criminal investigation for allegedly sharing child-related content that constitutes pornography. The Paris prosecutor’s office has opened a preliminary investigation into the allegations including such violent and “indignified messages” available to children.
In response, Shein has terminated every seller account linked to the unlawful selling of childlike sex dolls. Beyond these steps the company is further cracking down on its platform by putting up more stringent guardrails to avoid any future mishaps. Paris’ Office des Mineurs has taken the cases against Shein. This is the federal office that protects minors.
While this inquiry started with Shein, it extends to other fast online fashion like Temu, AliExpress, and Wish. Now, AliExpress too is under the same scrutiny for potential violations related to the sale of child sexual abuse material.
Taking its business model offline, Shein is preparing to roll out its first permanent stores in France. In the meantime, demonstrations have sprung up outside the Paris department store that will host the new outlet. Demonstrators have come out in droves to express their outrage at the company’s operations and its impact on young people.
Shein’s expansion plans involve more stores across other French cities like Dijon, Reims, and Angers. Regulatory scrutiny today is aimed squarely at online marketplaces. These platforms should be held accountable for the danger posed by the products they sell.