(MENAFN) French authorities have flagged fast-fashion retailer Shein for offering “sex dolls with a childlike appearance” on its website, reports indicate. The country’s consumer watchdog stated that the dolls’ online descriptions “makes it difficult to doubt the child pornography nature of the content.”

Shein responded: “The products in question were immediately delisted as soon as we became aware of these serious issues.” The company added that it is “investigating how these listings circumvented our screening measures” and “conducting a comprehensive review to identify and remove any similar items that may be listed on our marketplace by other third-party vendors.”

The watchdog has referred Shein to both French prosecutors and the nation’s online and broadcasting regulator. The controversy comes just days before Shein is scheduled to open its first permanent store worldwide in a Parisian department store. The planned opening at BHV Marais, a historic shop in the French capital, has already drawn criticism due to Shein’s labour practices and environmental record.

On the issue of the dolls, the consumer authority warned that “the dissemination, via an electronic communications network, of child pornography is punishable by up to seven years' imprisonment and a fine of $108,000.” Shein reiterated that it “maintains a zero-tolerance policy towards any content or products that violate our platform policies or applicable laws” and said it is taking the matter “extremely seriously.”

The company confirmed: “We are taking immediate corrective actions and reinforcing our internal controls to prevent this from happening again.” Shein has faced multiple fines recently, including a $144 million penalty last month for failing to secure users’ consent for tracking cookies, which it described as “wholly disproportionate” and “politically motivated.”

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