Sex doll scandal: the EU is checking the Shein platform
27 November 2025 14:19
The European Commission has requested detailed information from the Shein platform, which, among other things, offers weapons and sex dolls that resemble children, on how it intends to protect minors and prevent the sale of prohibited goods to them.
This is reported by AFP with reference to the EC’s statement, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports.
The EC’s request is based on the Digital Services Act. Such requests can lead to an investigation or fines. According to the EC, there are suspicions that Shein’s business model “may pose a systemic risk to consumers across the EU.”
For its part, the Asian retailer Shein assured the European authorities of its readiness to cooperate with them.
“We share the European Commission’s goal of ensuring that consumers in the EU can shop online with peace of mind,” said a company spokesperson. – “We have received the request and are working to respond to it as soon as possible.
France seeks to block Shein platform
The French government is demanding that the platform be blocked in the country for at least three months. However, a court hearing in Paris on this issue, scheduled for November 26, was postponed until December 5, according to an AFP publication.
The French government also wants to take legal action against Chinese online trading platforms Alibaba and Joom in connection with the sale of sex dolls resembling children and weapons there. “This is a fight to protect consumers, children and young people,” French Trade Minister Serge Papin said on TF1. According to him, the French authorities plan to initiate an investigation into both platforms in the coming days.
The investigation into the Shein platform in the country on suspicion of distributing child pornography is ongoing. If proven guilty, those responsible face up to seven years in prison and a fine of €100,000. At the same time, the absence of restrictions for minors when buying weapons could mean a three-year prison sentence and a fine of 75,000 euros.
Meanwhile, on November 26, the European Parliament called for blocking online trading platforms in case of serious violations of EU law.
