Shein, the Asian fast-fashion giant, has been accused by French authorities of selling sex dolls with a childlike appearance on its e-commerce platform, leading to a formal report to prosecutors and regulators. The company has since delisted the items and launched an internal investigation into how they circumvented screening measures.
France’s Directorate General for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control (DGCCRF) stated that the description and categorization of the dolls on Shein’s website made it difficult to doubt their child pornography nature. The watchdog reported the case to French prosecutors and Arcom, the country’s online and broadcasting regulator, emphasizing the seriousness of the allegation and the potential legal consequences under French law.
In response, Shein announced that the products were immediately removed from its platform as soon as the company became aware of the issues. A spokesperson confirmed that an investigation is underway to determine how these listings bypassed existing screening protocols, and a comprehensive review is being conducted to identify and remove any similar items listed by third-party vendors on its marketplace.
The dolls, which measure around 80 centimeters in height, were pictured in media reports holding teddy bears and accompanied by explicitly sexual captions. Alice Vilcot-Dutarte, a DGCCRF official, highlighted the risk, noting that a child could accidentally encounter such products while browsing the site for toys, underscoring the potential harm and the need for stricter content controls.
This controversy emerges just before Shein’s planned opening of its first permanent physical store worldwide, set to debut at the BHV Marais department store in Paris. The decision to host Shein had already provoked backlash from other luxury brands and customers, with some withdrawing their products in protest, adding to the timing’s sensitivity.
Under French law, the dissemination of child pornography via electronic communications networks is punishable by up to seven years’ imprisonment and a fine of 100,000 euros. Shein has faced previous penalties in France, including three fines in 2025 totaling 191 million euros for issues such as false advertising, misleading information, and non-compliance with cookie legislation.
Shein, originally from China and now based in Singapore, has consistently faced criticism over its business practices, including poor working conditions in its supply chain and the environmental impact of fast fashion. Despite these challenges, the company has experienced rapid growth, overtaking traditional retailers in many markets, but this incident could further damage its reputation.
The European Commission is also investigating Shein over risks associated with illegal products, while EU lawmakers have approved measures to address the environmental consequences of fast fashion. This case illustrates the ongoing regulatory scrutiny facing global e-commerce platforms and could influence future policies, consumer trust, and industry standards.
As the situation develops, the focus will be on the outcomes of the legal proceedings and Shein’s internal review. The incident may affect the company’s expansion plans and reputation, particularly in Europe where regulatory standards are tightening, and it underscores the broader challenges of monitoring third-party content on digital marketplaces.