(qlmbusinessnews.com . Wed 5th Nov, 2025) London, UK —
Investigation Targets Major Online Marketplaces for Disseminating Indecent Material Accessible to Minors in France
In France, a serious investigation has been launched against prominent online marketplaces Shein, Temu, AliExpress, and Wish, with allegations centring on the platforms' potential role in allowing minors to access explicit content, the Paris prosecutor's office has confirmed. The investigation was initiated following a report by the national consumer watchdog last Sunday, voicing concerns particularly about the sale of childlike sex dolls on the Shein platform.
The Paris prosecutor elaborated to the Reporters that the inquiry is focused on the platforms' dissemination of “violent, pornographic or indignified messages” accessible to minors. The companies involved have been approached for comments on the matter. AliExpress responded, stating their firm stance against the allegations and the immediate measures taken to rectify any policy violations.
Specifically, Shein and AliExpress are under close scrutiny for the distribution of child-related, sexualised content. The cases have been forwarded to Paris' Office des Mineurs, a law enforcement division dedicated to the protection of minors, indicating the seriousness of the allegations.
AliExpress, upon discovering listings that breached its policies, promptly removed them, affirming its commitment to penalising sellers attempting to bypass platform rules. In a proactive move, Shein announced a global ban on the sale of all sex dolls across its platform, coupled with a stringent ban on seller accounts linked to the trade of the controversial childlike dolls, reinforcing tighter control measures on its platform.
The investigation was partly triggered by the French Directorate General for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control, which criticised the explicit nature of the doll listings, highlighting their undoubted association with child pornography.
This scrutiny arrives at a challenging time for Shein, a company originally founded in China, as it gears up to unveil its first permanent brick-and-mortar store in France. Despite preparations for the opening, protests have erupted outside the Paris department store set to host Shein's new outlet, reflecting public backlash against the brand. Nevertheless, Shein has plans to expand its physical presence, eyeing openings in additional French cities such as Dijon, Reims, and Angers, amidst the ongoing legal and societal scrutiny.
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