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Online retail giant Shein says it has banned all sex dolls from being sold on its platform worldwide after it was accused of displaying “childish-looking” products on its website.
France’s consumer watchdog was the first to raise concerns over the weekend over the description and categorization of the dolls, saying it left “little doubt about the child pornography content”.
The company said Monday it has permanently banned “all seller accounts associated with illegal or non-compliant sex doll products” and will tighten controls on its global platform.
Shein also said it has temporarily removed the adult product category as a precaution.
Every listing and image related to sex dolls has been removed from the platform, Shane confirmed, adding that it will conduct a thorough review and plans to enforce stricter controls on sellers.
“The company has also strengthened its keyword blacklist to further prevent attempts by sellers to circumvent product listing restrictions,” the company said.
Executive Chairman Donald Tang said: “Combating child exploitation is non-negotiable for Shein. These were marketplace listings from third-party sellers – but I take that personally.”
“We are tracking the source and will take swift and decisive action against those responsible.
In a statement, Paris prosecutors said they had received reports from France’s Directorate General for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control (DGCCRF) about Shein, as well as online retail platforms Ali Express, Temu and Wish, about the sale of child-like sex dolls.
Prosecutors said they had referred the investigation to OFMIN, a French agency tasked with preventing violence against minors.
The DGCCRF initially raised concerns about the dolls on Saturday.
In response, Shein said it removed ads for child sex dolls as soon as it became aware of the issue and launched an investigation into how the products could be offered for sale on its platform.
France’s finance minister has threatened to ban the Singapore-based retailer from the country if it continues to sell the products – days before the company opens its first permanent store in Paris.
People were seen protesting outside the BHV department store opposite Paris City Hall, where the Shein store is due to open this week.
The brand has previously been scrutinized for the environmental impact of fast fashion and working conditions of the people who produce the products sold on the platform.
