A Paris court has rejected an effort by the French government to suspend the website of fast-fashion giant Shein in response to its selling of childlike sex dolls on its platform.
The court stated that the request for a three-month suspension was disproportionate and mandated age verification for the sale of adult products instead.
This action came after France's consumer watchdog reported Shein to authorities for selling sex dolls with a childlike appearance and weapons.
In its response, Shein emphasized its commitment to safeguarding French consumers and maintaining compliance with local laws.
The court acknowledged the seriousness of the incident involving the sale of childlike dolls and weapons but emphasized that these were isolated cases, concluding that the company had acted promptly to address the concerns once they were identified. The court noted that such issues were linked to a small fraction of the vast array of products available on the Shein platform.
In light of the controversy, Shein has announced plans to ban the sale of all sex dolls on its platform on a global scale.
Additionally, the court dismissed the French government’s request for Shein to be compelled to suspend the sale of third-party items on its site—many of which were implicated in the controversy.
As part of the court’s ruling, age verification measures are to be implemented for adult items, with violations subject to a fine of €10,000 (£8,700; $11,700).
The call for the suspension of Shein's website coincided with the unveiling of its first physical store in Paris, which drew significant attention and protests linked to the sale of the contentious dolls along with criticism related to fast fashion practices.
In a statement, Shein reiterated its commitment to enhancing its control processes in collaboration with French authorities to set some of the most rigorous standards within the industry. Our priority remains protecting French consumers and ensuring compliance with local laws and regulations, the statement concluded.
