Shein’s ‘addictive design’ and illegal sex dolls under investigation
The Verge
February 17, 2026
The European Union has opened a formal investigation into Shein after French regulators found listings for "child-like sex dolls" on the retail platform last year. The investigation will assess whether the systems Shein is using to curb illegal product sales are compliant with the EU's Digital Services Act (DSA), according to the European Commission, including "content which could constitute child sexual abuse material."
The commission will also examine the transparency of Shein's content recommendation systems and concerns regarding the retailer's "addictive design," including gamified programs that give points and other rewards to shopp …
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Originally published on The Verge on 2/17/2026