EU Launches Formal Investigation into Shein Over Sex Doll Listings

The European Commission has initiated a formal investigation into Chinese fast-fashion retailer Shein, amid allegations of illicit listings for “child-like sex dolls” on its platform. Shein’s systems and processes for detecting and removing prohibited content will be scrutinised by the EU to ensure compliance with its Digital Services Act, which aims to prevent child sexual abuse material from being shared online. The investigation also focuses on Shein’s content recommendation algorithm, which some critics claim creates an “addictive design” through gamified programs that reward users for making purchases and engaging with the platform.