Online retail giant Shein said it has banned the sale of all sex dolls on its platform worldwide after it was accused of displaying products with a “childish appearance” on the site.
The French consumer protection authority has expressed concern for the first time over the weekend over the description and categorization of the dolls, saying it left “little doubt as to the nature of child pornography.”
The company said Monday it has permanently suspended “all seller accounts associated with illegal or non-compliant sex doll products” and will tighten controls on its global platform.
Shein also said that he had temporarily removed the adult category as a precaution.
All listings and images related to sex dolls have been removed from the platform, Shane confirmed, adding that the company will conduct a thorough review and plans to impose stricter controls on sellers.
“The company has also strengthened its keyword blacklist to further prevent sellers from attempting to circumvent product listing restrictions,” the company said.
Executive Chairman Donald Tan said: “Tackling child exploitation is a non-negotiable for Shane. These were marketplace listings from third party sellers, but I'm taking it personally.”
“We are tracing the source and will take swift and decisive action against those responsible.”
In a statement, the Paris prosecutor's office said it had received reports from France's Directorate General of Competition, Consumer Affairs and Anti-Fraud (DGCCRF) about Shein, as well as online trading platforms Ali Express, Temu and Wish, regarding the sale of child-like sex dolls.
Prosecutors said they had transferred the investigation to OFMIN, the French agency tasked with preventing violence against minors.
The DGCCRF initially raised concerns about the dolls on Saturday.
In response, Shein said it removed listings for child sex dolls as soon as it learned of the issue and began investigating how the products could be offered for sale on its platform.
France's finance minister has threatened to ban a Singaporean retailer from entering the country if it continues to sell products – days before the company was due to open its first permanent store in Paris.
People were seen protesting outside the BHV department store opposite Paris City Hall, where a Shein store will open this week.
The brand has previously come under scrutiny for the environmental impact of fast fashion. working conditions of people producing products sold on the platform.
