The French government’s plea to suspend the Chinese internet retailer Shein for three months was denied by a Paris court. Shein will not be permitted to resume sales of “adult products that could constitute pornographic content” unless it first implements trustworthy age-verification procedures, according to a clear injunction the court attached to its ruling.
The platform was revealed to be selling highly contentious products, such as child-like sex dolls, weapons including brass knuckles and machetes, and prohibited pharmaceuticals. This led to a scandal and considerable alarm from consumer protection organizations and French authorities.
An internal audit is currently underway to identify flaws in the platform’s marketplace operations. The court recognized in its decision that the sale of illicit items causes “serious harm to public order. The products had already been taken down, but the court determined that these transactions were “isolated incidents.” Shein’s attorneys criticized a media and political “witch hunt” during the hearing.
Marie-Claire Carrère-Gée, a senator from the conservative Les Républicains party in Paris, stated via email to Euronews that “the issue with Shein or Temu goes far beyond these specific products.” It is a whole economic paradigm that tramples on human rights, includes environmental protection, violates consumer rights, and destroys our businesses and jobs.
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