France to file complaint against e-commerce sites for sale of sex dolls

(MENAFN) France’s commerce minister Serge Papin said Wednesday that the government is preparing to file a formal complaint against two major online marketplaces for selling products described as “pedopornographic dolls.” Speaking to a national broadcaster, he confirmed that the targeted platforms are AliExpress and Joom.

Papin recalled that earlier in November, authorities had already referred cases involving these platforms — along with eBay, Temu, and Wish — to the judiciary for allegedly offering prohibited items for sale.

At the same time, a separate court hearing is underway at the Paris Judicial Court concerning the potential suspension of the Asia-based retailer Shein. The company was brought before the courts earlier this month for allegedly selling sexualized dolls resembling children, as well as outlawed weapons. The government is expected to request that Shein be blocked for at least three months.

“We must put an end to the digital Wild West,” Papin said, stressing that online marketplaces must prove that any products reintroduced to consumers comply with safety and legal standards. He also emphasized the need for these efforts to be coordinated on a broader European scale.

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