BRUSSELS—The European Commission announced Monday that it will initiate a Digital Services Act investigation into popular e-commerce platform Shein amid claims that the company hosts “adult” and “age-restricted” content and engages in the marketing and sale of “child-like sex dolls” and child sexual abuse material (CSAM).
The European Commission, the executive arm of the European Union (EU), is responsible for enforcing the Digital Services Act (DSA), a regulatory framework for online safety that includes age verification and measures to counter illegal activities.
“In the EU, illegal products are prohibited—whether they are on a store shelf or on an online marketplace,” said Henna Virkkunen, the executive vice president for tech sovereignty, security and democracy, in a press statement announcing the Shein investigation. “The Digital Services Act keeps shoppers safe, protects their well-being, and empowers them with information about the algorithms they are interacting with. We will assess whether Shein is respecting these rules and their responsibility.”
Much of the investigation stems from French law enforcement efforts, including claims from a government watchdog that Shein and other fast fashion applications that are popular, namely Temu and Ali Express, were exposing minors to pornography.
Shein was scrutinized by the French government as it was about to open its first brick-and-mortar location in central Paris at the BHV department store.
Shein was also facing a ban in French digital spaces, but quickly avoided such action, as reported by the wire service Agence France-Presse via Deutsche Welle.
“The Commission will now carry out an in-depth investigation as a matter of priority,” the EU says. “The opening of formal proceedings does not prejudge the outcome.”
Other accusations made against Shein by the bloc’s leadership include addictive use, age-inappropriate design, and a lack of transparency, as mandated by the DSA.
“The DSA does not set any legal deadline for bringing formal proceedings to an end,” notes the EU. “The duration of an in-depth investigation depends on several factors, including the complexity of the case, the extent to which the company concerned cooperates with the Commission, and the exercise of the rights of defense.”
