EU Tech Commissioner Meets French Ministers Over Shein Controversy

The European Commission is facing increasing pressure to take action against the e-commerce giant Shein following a scandal involving the sale of a controversial product described as a “childlike sex doll.” French ministers are calling for immediate sanctions against the company, which has drawn significant public outcry. Henna Virkkunen, the EU Tech Commissioner, is scheduled to meet with French officials on Thursday to discuss the implications and potential responses from the EU.

French authorities have urged the European Commission to investigate Shein for allowing the sale of this product on its platform, which is accessible across the EU’s single market. According to Thomas Regnier, the Commission’s spokesperson for digital affairs, this meeting will inform the next steps the EU may take. He emphasized, “Today’s discussion will feed the potential next steps from the EU side.”

The controversy surrounding the doll has ignited a national uproar in France, raising concerns about inadequate regulatory controls for online platforms that could be exploited by criminals. French officials underscore the systemic risks posed by such products, which have prompted them to demand action at a European level. “Given the legitimate concerns it raises among European citizens, the European Union must deliver firm responses to any failings or breaches that may be identified as a result of such an investigation,” they stated.

Jean-Noël Barrot, the French Minister for Digital Affairs, confirmed that access to Shein’s online platform will be suspended until the company can demonstrate compliance with French law. He remarked, “The Commission has launched certain investigations, and it must now back them up with sanctions.”

Regulatory Framework and Ongoing Investigations

The debate is unfolding against the backdrop of the Digital Services Act (DSA), which mandates that online platforms must promptly remove illegal content and products. In May, the European Commission concluded an investigation that revealed Shein’s involvement in illegal commercial practices, a probe that is still ongoing. Should the Commission determine that Shein has not made adequate progress in addressing these issues, the company could face fines reaching into the millions of euros.

The Commission has also sent separate requests for information regarding illegal goods being sold on the platform, including weapons. In response to the allegations, Shein announced earlier this week that it has banned all sex-doll products and temporarily removed its adult products category for review. The company is also conducting an internal investigation to understand how these listings were able to bypass its screening measures.

The situation has captured the attention of lawmakers in Europe as well. A coalition of 40 members of the European Parliament, spanning various political parties, sent a letter to the Commission urging the initiation of an investigation into similar products being sold on other platforms, such as AliExpress and Temu. This indicates a broader concern regarding the regulatory practices of Chinese-founded online companies.

The French push for enforcement actions coincided with Shein’s opening of its first physical store in Paris on Wednesday, which attracted large crowds but also drew protests from those opposing the sale of the controversial doll.

As discussions progress, the outcomes of the meeting between Commissioner Virkkunen and French ministers could set a significant precedent for how the EU handles online regulatory challenges in the future. The tension surrounding Shein highlights the ongoing struggle to balance consumer protections with the rapid growth of e-commerce platforms operating across multiple jurisdictions.