PARIS — France’s consumer protection agency has reported Chinese-founded online fast-fashion platform Shein over the sale of childlike sex dolls.
“The French Directorate-General for Competition, Consumer Affairs, and Fraud Control (DGCCRF) found that the e-commerce site Shein was selling sex dolls with childlike appearances,” the agency said Saturday evening, adding that it had “referred the matter to the public prosecutor.”
Shein is accused in France and beyond of selling goods that do not comply with EU laws. In July, the DGCCRF fined the company €40 million for misleading consumers about prices.
Back in May, the European Commission and consumer protection authorities had also notified the platform of alleged violations of consumer protection law, including fake discounts and misleading sustainability claims. EU Justice Commissioner Michael McGrath later said he was determined to crack down on the sale of goods on Temu and Shein that do not comply with EU regulations.
“As a reminder, the distribution of child pornography via an electronic communications network is punishable by up to seven years’ imprisonment and a fine of €100,000,” the French DGCCRF said in Saturday’s statement. The agency also reached out to the French platform regulator Arcom, which is responsible for regulating companies such as Shein.
The platform was ordered to take appropriate measures swiftly. Shein told Agence France-Presse the items have been removed from the platform and an investigation was launched to find out how the sellers managed to circumvent the control processes.
The DGCCRF also reported to the prosecutor and Arcom that pornographic content such as adult-looking sex dolls is available without filtering measures to restrict access to minors, which is also against French law.
Shein is especially controversial in France: The most recent incident is the platform’s arrival at the flagship department store BHV in Paris, which sparked outrage among suppliers.
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