Sheinโ Pulls ‘Child-Like’ Sex Dolls amid Outcry, Faces Potentialโข French Ban
Shein has removed advertisements for sex dolls resembling children from its platform and launchedโฃ an internal investigation following widespread condemnation. The controversy erupted days before the fast-fashion retailer was โฃset to openโค its first permanentโข brick-and-mortar store in Paris, prompting a directโ threat fromโฃ French officials.
The scandal underscores growing scrutiny of โShein’s product offerings and business โpractices. Beyond the โคimmediate concerns surrounding the dolls, โthe โcompany alreadyโ faces criticism regarding the environmentalโ impact โofโ its rapid production โฃcycles and โคthe labor conditions within โits supply chain. The incident has ignited protests and raises questions โคabout the responsibilityโฃ of online marketplaces to vet products and prevent the sale โof exploitative items.
French Finance Minister Roland Lescure warned Shein that it โคcould beโ barred from operating in France โฃif it continues to sell โขthe controversialโ products.Protests against the dolls were held at the BHV department store and in front of Paris City Hall in โanticipation of the Shein store’s opening this week.
Shein stated it removed the advertisements โคas soon โขasโ it becameโฃ aware of the issue. The company’s response comes as it navigates increasing pressure fromโค consumers and โคregulators regarding its business model.