The controversy erupted when France’s anti-fraud agency identified and publicized listings on Shein’s French site featuring sex dolls that resembled children, complete with explicit descriptions and images. The listings, reportedly placed by third-party vendors, triggered immediate public and governmental backlash. France’s Finance Minister Roland Lescure declared these items “horrible and illegal,” vowing that the government would ban Shein from the French market if such products ever resurfaced. French law allows authorities to urgently block sites involved in the distribution of child pornography among other offences.
In response, Shein quickly removed the offending listings and announced a global ban on all sex dolls, not just those with childlike attributes, and suspended its entire adult products category for a comprehensive review. Donald Tang, Shein’s executive chairman, emphasized that the company would not tolerate anything undermining the fight against child exploitation, describing the issue as “non-negotiable.” Despite the listings originating from third-party sellers, Tang stated he would take personal responsibility for the lapses.
The incident comes at a pivotal time for Shein, which is opening today its first permanent physical retail store in Paris.
Shein’s rapid response has been welcomed by child safety advocates but has also drawn scrutiny over why such items were listed in the first place. That is mainly the most important question we should ask society….