France investigates online retailers over sale of childlike sex dolls
(MENAFN) French authorities have launched investigations into online retailers Shein, Temu, AliExpress, and Wish for allegedly allowing minors to access pornographic material, the Paris prosecutor’s office confirmed Tuesday.
The probe follows a complaint by France’s consumer watchdog, which raised alarms over the sale of childlike sex dolls on Shein’s platform. The watchdog reported the four companies to prosecutors after identifying concerns about violent, pornographic, or “undignified messages” accessible to minors.
Shein, Temu, and Wish have been contacted for comment, while AliExpress stated it takes the matter very seriously. The Paris prosecutor’s office also confirmed that Shein and AliExpress are under investigation specifically for distributing content involving children in a pornographic context.
The cases have been referred to Paris’ Office des Mineurs, the branch of the French police responsible for protecting minors. AliExpress said the listings violated its policies and were promptly removed. "Sellers found to violate or trying to circumvent these requirements will be penalised in accordance with our rules," the company added.
On Monday, Shein announced a global ban on all sex dolls and said it would permanently block seller accounts linked to the illegal sale of childlike dolls, while implementing stricter platform controls.
The French consumer watchdog criticized the listings, stating that the products’ descriptions and categories left “little doubt as to the child pornography nature” of the items.
The investigation comes as Shein, originally founded in China, prepares to open its first permanent physical store in France on Wednesday. Demonstrators have been seen protesting outside the Paris department store, with additional outlets planned in cities including Dijon, Reims, and Angers.
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