Online retailers Shein, Temu, AliExpress, and Wish are facing an investigation in France concerning their role in facilitating minors’ access to pornographic content. The inquiry was confirmed by the Paris prosecutor’s office on Tuesday, following a report from the country’s consumer watchdog, which raised alarms regarding the sale of childlike sex dolls on Shein’s platform.
Authorities are scrutinizing the platforms for potentially exposing minors to violent, pornographic, or otherwise offensive messaging. This investigation is directed at ensuring the protection of minors and has been referred to Paris’ Office des Mineurs, a division of the police that specializes in safeguarding young individuals.
In a response to the allegations, AliExpress stated that it takes the issue seriously and acknowledged the existence of listings that breached its policies. The company reported that once it became aware of these violations, it acted promptly to remove the offending listings, vowing to penalize any sellers who attempt to bypass their regulations.
Shein, for its part, declared on Monday that it had instituted a worldwide ban on the sale of all sex dolls on its platform. The retailer, which originated in China and is preparing to launch its first permanent physical store in France, indicated that it would permanently block seller accounts involved in the illicit sale of such dolls and implement stricter controls aimed at preventing similar occurrences.
The French consumer watchdog, the Directorate General for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control, has characterized the sex dolls in question as being suggestive of child pornography, drawing serious concerns about their implications.
As scrutiny intensifies, Shein’s upcoming store opening in Paris has attracted a protest from concerned citizens, highlighting the growing unease surrounding the practices of these online retailers. Shein is also eyeing future expansions, with plans for additional outlets in prominent French cities such as Dijon, Reims, and Angers.
