France Moves to Suspend Shein Website
The French government has started legal action to block the website of the e-commerce giant Shein in France, following controversy over childlike sex dolls. This effort was welcomed by France’s apparel industry but carries significant legal risks.
Context and Government Action
Shein's CEO, Donald Tang, experienced a setback just 90 minutes after opening a 1,200-square-meter pop-up store inside BHV, a major Paris department store. The French government announced it was “launching a suspension procedure” against the Chinese-founded platform.
The move targets Shein’s ability to sell and deliver packages within France, which is its largest market in Europe.
Shein’s Popularity vs. Legal Challenge
Despite attracting over 4.4 million daily visitors in France, the government is pursuing an unprecedented legal battle to force Shein to halt operations unless it complies with French laws.
“On instruction from the prime minister,” the government stated, it plans to suspend Shein “for as long as it takes for the platform to prove to the authorities that all of its content finally complies with our laws and regulations.”
Investigation Triggered by Controversy
This announcement followed an investigation by the Paris prosecutor’s office into Shein for allegedly selling childlike sex dolls, intensifying scrutiny on the company.
Summary
France’s government takes unprecedented steps to suspend Shein, balancing strong local industry support against complex legal challenges amid controversy.