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Shein bans sex dolls globally after childlike product allegations
Online retail giant Shein announced a worldwide ban on all sex dolls Monday, following accusations that its platform hosted products resembling children. The move comes after France's consumer watchdog flagged listings over the weekend, citing concerns about their "child pornography nature."
Immediate action and platform changes
Shein confirmed it has permanently banned all seller accounts linked to "illegal or non-compliant sex-doll products" and temporarily removed its entire adult products category as a precaution. The company stated that every related listing and image has been deleted from its platform.
In a statement, Shein outlined plans for a comprehensive review and stricter seller controls, including an expanded keyword blacklist to prevent sellers from bypassing restrictions. "The fight against child exploitation is non-negotiable for Shein," said Executive Chairman Donald Tang. "These were marketplace listings from third-party sellers-but I take this personally."
"We are tracing the source and will take swift, decisive action against those responsible."
Donald Tang, Executive Chairman, Shein
Regulatory pressure and protests
France's Directorate General for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control first raised concerns on Saturday, prompting Shein to remove the listings immediately. The company also launched an internal investigation into how the products were listed in the first place.
France's finance minister escalated the issue by threatening to ban Shein from operating in the country if it failed to address the problem. The warning came days before Shein's planned opening of its first permanent Paris outlet, located in the BHV department store near City Hall. Protests erupted outside the store ahead of the scheduled launch.
Broader scrutiny of Shein's practices
The controversy adds to ongoing criticism of Shein over its fast-fashion model, which has faced scrutiny for its environmental impact and labor conditions in its supply chain. The company has not yet addressed these broader concerns in its latest statements.
Next steps
Shein said it will continue its investigation and implement additional safeguards to prevent similar incidents. The company has not specified a timeline for restoring its adult products category or whether further policy changes will follow.
