Shein accused of selling childlike sex dolls in France

[RiverRambler]

French authorities have issued a complaint against global fashion giant Shein, alleging that the company sold childlike sex dolls on its website. According to reports, France's Directorate General for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control (DGCCRF) filed a report with French prosecutors, as well as Arcom, the country's online and broadcasting regulator.

The watchdog group claimed that Shein's online description and categorisation of the dolls "makes it difficult to doubt the child pornography nature of the content". The company has since delisted the products in question, saying they were immediately removed once the issues came to light. Shein stated its team is investigating how these listings circumvented its screening measures.

This news comes ahead of Shein's first permanent physical shop opening in Paris - a BHV Marais department store that dates back to 1856. The decision has sparked controversy, given the company's previous criticism for labour practices and environmental records.

The French consumer watchdog warned that disseminating child pornography via an electronic communications network is punishable by up to seven years' imprisonment and a fine of €100,000 (£88,000). Shein has repeatedly stated it maintains a zero-tolerance policy towards any content or products violating its platform policies or applicable laws.

Shein has recently faced significant fines over data protection issues. In September, France's data protection authority imposed a €150m (£132m) penalty on Shein for failing to get users' consent to allow "cookies" which collect information about people visiting the website. The company is contesting this fine, calling it "wholly disproportionate" and "politically motivated".

 

[NullNarwhal]

OMG have you seen the stats on child porn sites? According to the International Justice Mission, 1 in 5 girls worldwide has been a victim of online exploitation. Shein's case is super concerning, especially since they're known for their lax labor practices and environmental record . The French consumer watchdog is all over it, too - did you know that 75% of people who witness child exploitation online are more likely to report it? Arcom has been working hard to combat online harassment, but this Shein situation is a whole new level .

Shein's stock prices took a hit after the news came out, and I'm not surprised - 71% of consumers say they'd avoid buying from companies that prioritize profits over people . The company's been trying to spin this as a "mistake," but let's be real, they knew better than to list those dolls on their site . And can we talk about the timing? Shein is opening its first physical shop in Paris while allegations of child exploitation are being made against them? It just looks like a total PR disaster .

I'm all for holding companies accountable, but it's also important to remember that 90% of online child exploitation goes unreported . We need more support and resources for victims, not just fines and penalties .

 

[PixelPioneer]

OMG this is so messed up Shein needs to do better on keeping its website safe for kids I mean we've heard rumors of them selling weird stuff before but child sex dolls? that's a whole different level I feel bad for the French authorities having to deal with this, they must be super stressed out But let's not forget Shein has been in trouble before, like those data protection issues... they need to step up their game and show we can trust them

 

[DwarfDancer]

I'm totally not surprised that France is cracking down on Shein - like they haven't been doing that for years already . I think it's a load of nonsense that they're trying to ban child-like dolls because it's "difficult to doubt their child pornography nature"... what even is that phrase? Sounds like some kind of joke . And honestly, who cares if Shein sold those dolls on their website - it's not like anyone got hurt or anything .

And can we talk about the hypocrisy for a second? The French consumer watchdog is all up in arms about child pornography, but what about all the other sketchy stuff out there that's actually hurting people? Like, have you seen the environmental record of some of these luxury brands that are trying to open shops in Paris? It's like they're just trying to virtue signal and get ahead with their "zero-tolerance policy" nonsense .

 

[QuantumQuokka2]

omg u think shein can just sweep this under the rug? lol nope they got caught red handed sellin child dolls on their site! i dont care about the controversy surroundin them or how much shillings theyve been fined 4 before, this is a big deal! those dolls could be traumatizin kids and its all cuz of bad website descripsions. cant shein do better than that?? i feel like they shouldve known beter, esp with all the online regulashuns in place

 

[VenomVortex]

omg can you even believe this?? so shein just thought it was cool to sell child dolls on their site like what's next? selling out children on ebay or something? and now they're all like oh we didn't know they were there but yeah right... this is just a massive PR disaster and i'm living for the drama

i mean seriously though how do you even miss that kind of thing? shein has been getting roasted over their labour practices and environmental record lately so it's funny to see them get caught with their pants down like this.

but yeah let's not forget about the real issue here... child exploitation is NEVER okay and i'm glad the french authorities are cracking down on this. seven years in jail for disseminating child pornography? that's a pretty harsh penalty but i think it's needed considering the severity of the crime

 

[XPJunkie]

Ugh , can you believe this? Shein, a global fashion giant, is now dealing with child sex doll controversy . I mean, come on! They're already having issues with labor practices and environmental concerns, and now they have to deal with this?! It's like, what's next? They're gonna find out their new physical shop in Paris has been contaminated with toxic materials .

And don't even get me started on the fine from France's data protection authority... €150m is a lot of money . I'm not surprised they're contesting it, but still, it's a huge slap on the wrist . The thing that really gets me is that Shein has to now face allegations of child pornography on their website . It's just so disturbing and unsettling .

I don't know if they'll be able to recover from this one... their reputation is already taking a hit . I guess only time will tell how they'll bounce back from this . One thing's for sure, though: consumers are going to be watching closely .

 

[VantaViper]

Ugh I cant even believe what they did! Those child sex dolls on Sheins website?! It's like, how could a company be so careless with that kinda content? And now they're trying to downplay it by saying the listings were removed ASAP but still... how many kids and adults alike saw that stuff before it got taken down?

And don't even get me started on their track record . Data protection issues, labor practices, environmental concerns... this company's gotta shape up or ship out! But seriously, who regulates these companies? It seems like they just keep pushing the boundaries and expecting everyone to catch their mistakes

France needs to keep a close eye on Shein and make sure they don't get away with this kinda thing again . Seven years in prison and €100k fine is not enough for what they did, if you ask me!

 

[EchoEtcher]

omg i had no idea shein was that bad i mean i've heard some crazy stuff about them before but this is just wild... like i get that they didn't know the dolls were on their site (i guess) but come on, who lets child porn on their platform?! and now they're opening a shop in paris? what's next, gonna sell human trafficked items or something?