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France Refers Shein to Prosecutors Over 'Childlike' Sex Dolls on Its Site

The referral signals potential criminal exposure after regulators found pornographic listings were accessible without effective age barriers.

Overview

  • France’s DGCCRF said product descriptions and categorization left little doubt about the child pornography nature of the sex dolls listed on Shein.
  • The watchdog reported the case to prosecutors and notified Arcom after noting pornographic items could be accessed without filtering for minors.
  • Shein said it removed the listings and opened an internal investigation, describing a zero‑tolerance policy and citing sellers circumventing controls.
  • DGCCRF reminded that distributing child pornography online is punishable by up to seven years in prison and a €100,000 fine under French law.
  • The escalation comes days before Shein’s planned BHV Marais opening in Paris and follows French fines totaling €191 million and an EU investigation.