French Authorities Investigates Online Retail Giants After Sex Doll Scandal
Online retailers featuring Shein, Temu, AliExpress and Wish are currently being probed in France for the allegation of enabling youngsters to obtain pornographic information on their services, the prosecutor's office in Paris stated on Tuesday.
The country's consumer protection agency had brought to light the companies to the prosecution service on this past Sunday after voicing alarms about the sale of minor-looking sex dolls on the Shein website over the weekend.
The Paris prosecutor's office clarified that the platforms are being looked into over graphic, explicit or “undignified” content that can be viewed by minors.
AliExpress asserted that it takes the matter extremely earnestly. Shein, Temu and Wish have also been contacted for a statement.
Wider Investigations and Platform Reactions
Two of the retailers are also being examined over the distribution of content involving youngsters that are of a adult nature, the agency said.
The matters have been passed to a specialized police unit, the legal body added. This office is an branch of the national police that supervises the welfare of underage individuals.
The company commented that the listings in concern violated its guidelines and were removed once it became aware of them.
"Merchants discovered to break or attempting to evade these standards will be sanctioned in line with our regulations," the company said in a official comment.
On Monday, the retailer announced it had outlawed the selling of any adult toys on its platform internationally. The based in Singapore retailer also said that it would terminate all seller accounts associated with the illegal distribution of the childlike items and set tighter safeguards on its service.
Agency Findings and Larger Context
The French consumer watchdog, the DGCCRF, had said that the products' description and categorisation left "minimal uncertainty as to the exploitative character" of the merchandise.
The scrutiny of the platform occurs while the firm, which was established in China, prepares for the inauguration on Wednesday of its maiden fixed real-world outlet in the French Republic.
Protesters have been spotted gathered in near the French capital retail outlet where Shein is set to open the outlet.
The retailer aims to inaugurate stores in further France's retail chains in cities like these regional hubs.
