Paris court rejects French government’s request to suspend Shein’s operations for three months
A Paris court has denied the French government’s request to suspend the Chinese online platform Shein for three months amid a scandal involving the sale of child-like sex dolls. This ruling is significant for the e-commerce sector as it balances content control measures with the rights of businesses to operate.
Source Reuters
The court mandated Shein to implement a strict age verification system for all “adult products,” imposing a fine of €10,000 ($11,700) for each violation. The French government announced plans to appeal the decision. The lawsuit followed findings by a consumer protection agency that the platform offered banned items, including sex dolls with child-like faces and weapons. Shein quickly removed the controversial items and halted adult product sales worldwide.
This case highlights the challenges of regulating online commerce, especially regarding control over unacceptable content. The French government’s forthcoming actions could shape future practices of major international platforms.
