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EU probes Shein over sale of illegal products, addictive design
The European Commission's probe targets Shein's sale of illegal products, including child-like sex dolls, and examines its platform's potentially addictive features and algorithm transparency.
- The European Commission opened formal DSA proceedings on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, launching a probe into Shein's EU operations after preliminary analyses.
- Following last year's French findings, authorities uncovered child-like sex dolls and illegal weapons on Shein's site, while its Paris store opening sparked protests and gathered more than 120,000 petition signatures.
- Brussels will examine whether Shein's `addictive design`, recommender systems transparency, and safeguards against illegal products including child sexual abuse material meet EU rules.
- If breaches are found, the European Commission can impose interim measures, accept commitments, or levies fines up to 6% of global annual turnover; it will carry out in‑depth investigation measures with no fixed deadline and a final decision could come this year.
- The probe signals intensified policing of low-priced Chinese imports that Brussels says pose consumer dangers and complements EU consumer-law enforcement, with a final decision possible this year.
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160 Articles
160 Articles
Shein under investigation in EU over illegal products and addictive online design features
European Union regulators are investigating Shein over concerns the online retailer hasn't done enough to limit the sale of illegal products or protect users from the platform's allegedly addictive design.
·Washington, United States
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The European Commission has launched a formal investigation against the Chinese online trading platform "Shein".
·Germany
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The Commission investigates the sale of sexual dolls with childlike appearances by the Chinese e-commerce giant, as well as irregularities in IA algorithms and invasive and subliminal advertising.Thomas Regnier, spokesperson of the European Commission, said this.Read more
Coverage Details
Total News Sources160
Leaning Left26Leaning Right17Center31Last UpdatedBias Distribution42% Center
Bias Distribution
- 42% of the sources are Center
42% Center
L 35%
C 42%
R 23%
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