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EU probes Shein over sale of illegal products, addictive design
The EU probe targets Shein's compliance with the Digital Services Act, focusing on illegal products and addictive user engagement features, risking fines up to $2.2 billion.
- 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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133 Articles
133 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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El MundoReposted by 
diarioestrategia.cl
diarioestrategia.clThe European Commission formally investigates the Chinese Shein platform for its addictive design and for the online sale of illegal products in the European Union - like dolls...
·Madrid, Spain
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After the scandal about sex dolls with a childish look, the EU Commission is launching a formal case against online retailer Shein.
·Germany
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources133
Leaning Left23Leaning Right14Center25Last UpdatedBias Distribution40% Center
Bias Distribution
- 40% of the sources are Center
40% Center
L 37%
C 40%
R 23%
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