In a disturbing development, the Asian fast fashion giant Shein faces serious allegations in France for selling sex dolls that resemble children on its online platform. On November 1, 2025, France’s Directorate for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control (DGCCRF) lodged a formal complaint against Shein, highlighting that the description and categorization of these dolls “make it difficult to doubt the child pornography nature of the content”.
The French watchdog detailed that the dolls were about 80 centimeters (30 inches) tall, notably small and childlike, and were marketed with suggestive captions. One reported image showed a doll holding a teddy bear, which added to the controversy. Alice Vilcot-Dutarte, a DGCCRF official, warned, “Imagine a child randomly clicking on and coming across these products while browsing the site looking for a doll,” underscoring the risk posed to unsuspecting users.
Reacting swiftly, Shein announced the immediate removal of the contentious dolls from its website and launched an internal investigation to understand how these listings bypassed their screening processes. The company also committed to a thorough review of other third-party seller products on its marketplace to remove any similar items. However, this incident has amplified public concerns about the platform’s oversight mechanisms and ethical accountability, especially in light of Shein’s rapid expansion plans.
This accusation compounds Shein’s already controversial profile in France. The company, which was originally founded in China and is now headquartered in Singapore, faced significant backlash earlier in 2025 for violations including false advertising, noncompliance with online cookie policies, and failure to disclose the environmental impact of its products—leading to fines totaling €191 million. Moreover, Shein’s announcement in October 2025 to open its first physical store in Paris’s prestigious BHV Marais department store provoked outrage among other premium brands, some of which withdrew their products in protest.
Legal experts note that under French law, the dissemination of child pornography content via electronic networks is punishable by up to seven years in prison and fines of up to €100,000. The DGCCRF has referred the case to French prosecutors and Arcom, the national authority overseeing online media and broadcast content, signaling potential criminal proceedings.
Child protection advocates view the case as a vital push to address how e-commerce platforms police controversial and illegal content that can fuel exploitation and abuse. It also raises questions about the effectiveness of current regulations amid the fast-paced and complex online marketplace environment.
In summary, the Shein controversy in France highlights the pressing need for stronger digital marketplace regulations, enhanced platform accountability, and vigilant enforcement to protect vulnerable populations from harmful online content. The investigation continues, with serious legal and reputational consequences looming for the fast fashion giant. Readers should follow developments closely as prosecutors pursue this high-profile case that could set a precedent for regulating e-commerce content worldwide.
