Competition Authorities Cite "Child Pornography Distribution" Allegations
Controversy Grows Over SHEIN's Entry Into French Department Stores
Chinese online fast fashion retailer SHEIN has come under regulatory sanctions in France after selling adult dolls that resemble children, which authorities deemed to be child pornography. On November 2, Yonhap News, citing AFP, reported that Chinese e-commerce company SHEIN faced sanctions from French authorities for selling adult dolls reminiscent of children, on suspicion of child pornography.
Attendees take photos next to the SHEIN logo during a fashion show event held in Milan, Italy, on the 16th of last month. Photo by AFP Yonhap News
The French Directorate General for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control (DGCCRF) announced that it had referred the case to prosecutors and the audiovisual and communications regulator (ARCOM) on allegations that SHEIN sold "adult dolls that look like children." The DGCCRF stated that the product description and categorization raised suspicions of child pornography, adding, "Dissemination of child pornography via electronic communications networks can result in up to seven years in prison and a fine of 100,000 euros (approximately 165 million won)."
The daily newspaper Le Parisien published a photo of the problematic 80 cm-tall doll holding a teddy bear, along with a product description containing sexual references. Alice Vilcot-Dutartre of the DGCCRF told Le Parisien, "Imagine a child browsing the website and accidentally coming across this product." SHEIN has since removed the doll from its platform and stated that it is investigating how the seller bypassed control procedures.
The authorities' action comes amid controversy over SHEIN's planned entry into French department stores. Having previously operated exclusively online, SHEIN is set to open permanent outlets starting November 5 at BHV Marais in Paris, followed by Galeries Lafayette locations in Dijon, Reims, Grenoble, Angers, and Limoges. In France, some have reacted to SHEIN's department store entry as an insult to the domestic fashion industry.
Founded in 2008 as an online women's clothing retailer, SHEIN has expanded its business into an e-commerce platform and is now under intense scrutiny from European competition authorities. French authorities have fined SHEIN three times this year alone, totaling 191 million euros (about 315 billion won), for false and exaggerated advertising. In May, the European Union also demanded corrective action, stating that SHEIN violated consumer protection laws by falsely displaying discount rates and purchase deadlines.
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