Shein faces EU investigation over sale of childlike sex dolls

The European Commission has opened a formal investigation into Shein under the Digital Services Act after reports the site listed childlike sex dolls. The probe will examine the platform's product controls, the design and 'addictive' features of the site, and the transparency of its recommender systems.

The European Commission has opened a formal investigation into Shein over possible breaches of the Digital Services Act. The move follows reports that the platform listed sex dolls with a childlike appearance and earlier requests for information from EU officials. The commission said it will examine systems that prevent illegal products, the transparency of recommendation algorithms, and aspects of the site's design that regulators described as potentially 'addictive'. Shein has said it removed the items, banned the sellers involved, and is cooperating while strengthening compliance measures. What officials reported: - The European Commission has launched a formal DSA investigation into Shein, citing reports including the sale of childlike sex dolls. - Regulators will review the platform's systems for preventing illegal products and will examine the site's design features, including gamification and reward programmes described as potentially 'addictive'. - Shein said it removed the products, banned the sellers, and has been cooperative while investing in measures to strengthen DSA compliance and protections for younger users. - A formal investigation allows the Commission to take enforcement steps, which can include fines of up to 6% of a company's global annual turnover. Summary: The inquiry is intended to assess whether Shein's systems create systemic risks and whether its recommender systems meet DSA transparency requirements. The formal investigation is under way and could lead to enforcement measures; a timetable for conclusions was not provided. Undetermined at this time.