• Shein announces a global ban on sex dolls following a French investigation.
• The Paris prosecutor's office opened a probe into Shein and other retailers for selling inappropriate products.
• Shein pledges full cooperation with authorities, including revealing buyer identities.

Shein, a prominent fast-fashion retailer, has implemented a worldwide ban on all sex-doll products after French authorities raised concerns about childlike dolls being sold on its platform. The French government indicated that these listings could constitute child pornography, prompting the Paris prosecutors' office to launch investigations against Shein and other competitors like AliExpress and Temu for distributing potentially pornographic content accessible to minors, as noted by both Indiatimes and Reuters.

In light of the investigations initiated after reports from France’s consumer watchdog, the Directorate General for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control (DGCCRF), Shein's spokesperson Quentin Ruffat stated on November 4 that the company is committed to "cooperate fully" with judicial authorities. This includes sharing information about vendors and purchasers of the dolls as part of their transparency commitment, as mentioned by Le Monde and BBC.

Seen by some as a calculated public relations move, Shein's ban on these products occurred swiftly after the allegations surfaced. The French finance minister, Roland Lescure, indicated that the company could face a complete ban in France if violations persist. He emphasized the severity of the matter, calling for stringent action against companies involved in child exploitation, which was echoed in reports by Indiatimes and Reuters.

As Shein prepares to open its first brick-and-mortar store in Paris, protests have emerged outside the location, reflecting public discontent regarding these controversies. Activists and lawmakers have rallied against Shein's practices, suggesting that the company is not just a retail issue but also a broader societal concern about protecting minors from harmful content online, according to BBC and Le Monde.