Online retailers Shein, Temu, AliExpress, and Wish are currently under investigation in France for allegedly enabling minors to access pornographic content on their platforms. This announcement was made by the Paris prosecutor on Tuesday, following a report from the country’s consumer watchdog, which expressed concerns about the sale of childlike sex dolls on Shein’s platform.
The French consumer watchdog, known as the Directorate General for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control, filed a report with the prosecution service on Sunday. The report highlighted issues surrounding the platforms, which allegedly host violent, pornographic, or undignified messages that can be easily accessed by minors. The seriousness of these allegations has prompted an official investigation by the Paris prosecutor's office.
In response to the investigation, AliExpress has stated that it takes the matter very seriously. The company reported that the listings in question violated its internal policies and were promptly removed once they were identified. AliExpress also emphasized that sellers found in violation of these policies would face penalties in accordance with the platform's rules.
Meanwhile, Shein announced on Monday that it has banned the sale of all sex dolls across its platform globally. The Singapore-based retailer further committed to permanently blocking all seller accounts involved in the illegal sale of childlike dolls and implementing stricter controls on its platform to prevent such items from being listed in the future.
The investigation also targets Shein and AliExpress for their distribution of content related to children that is considered pornographic in nature. The cases have been referred to Paris’ Office des Mineurs, a division of the French police that specializes in the protection of minors.
The Directorate General for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control has pointed out that the descriptions and categorizations of the sex dolls sold on these platforms leave little doubt regarding their pornographic nature, further intensifying scrutiny on Shein.
The heightened scrutiny comes at a challenging time for Shein, which is preparing to open its first permanent physical store in France this Wednesday. As part of the opening, protests have erupted outside the Paris department store, with demonstrators voicing their concerns over the company's business practices. In addition to its Paris location, Shein plans to establish outlets in other French cities, including Dijon, Reims, and Angers.
As the investigation unfolds, the implications for these online retailers could be significant, impacting their operations and reputation in France and potentially beyond.
