Overview
- The government triggered a national suspension procedure and referred the case to the judiciary after watchdog findings of childlike sex‑doll listings and lawmakers flagging category‑A weapons on the platform.
- France formally asked the European Commission to investigate Shein under the Digital Services Act and to impose provisional measures, with potential penalties that include heavy fines or an EU market ban.
- Shein said it paused new uploads from third‑party sellers, launched an internal inquiry and created an integrity panel, stating customer safety and marketplace integrity as priorities.
- Shein’s first permanent store opened at Paris’s BHV as protests and brand withdrawals continued, and Galeries Lafayette ended its partnership with SGM while regional counters are slated to open in several cities.
- Subsequent reporting indicated a seized sexual doll initially linked to Shein was purchased from a separate French website, underscoring attribution challenges for marketplace enforcement.