Shein Bans Sex Dolls After French Probe

France’s consumer watchdog DGCCRF referred Shein to prosecutors and the digital regulator after finding listings for sex dolls with a “childlike” appearance, and Paris prosecutors opened an investigation while similar probes were launched into AliExpress, Temu and Wish. Shein said the listings came from third‑party vendors, removed them and has imposed a global ban on all sex‑doll products, launched an internal inquiry and created a dedicated content‑integrity team. The company pledged full cooperation with French judicial authorities and offered to share buyer information if requested. French finance minister Roland Lescure and other ministers warned Shein could be banned or blocked from the French market if such products reappeared; distribution of child sexual‑abuse material can carry up to seven years in prison and heavy fines under French law. The controversy came days before Shein’s planned opening of its first Paris store at BHV Marais, provoked protests and public backlash, and prompted some partner brands and retailers to distance themselves amid intensified scrutiny of Shein’s marketplace controls and regulatory record.