Chinese online platform Shein’s attorneys will be back in Paris on Friday for a hearing on the French government’s demand to suspend the company’s website for three months following the discovery of prohibited firearms and infantile sex dolls on its marketplace.
Shein stopped its marketplace, where third-party sellers post their products, in France on November 5 after authorities uncovered illicit items for sale. Still, its leading site, which offers Shein-branded clothes, remains available.
The French government claims that, for Shein to demonstrate that its content complies with the law, the website must be blocked in France for at least 3 months.
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France Uses Digital Law to Push for Website Suspension
It has relied on Article 6.3 of France’s digital economy law, which grants judges the authority to order actions to prevent or mitigate harm caused by online information.
Major internet service providers Bouygues Telecom, Free, Orange, and SFR have also been called to the hearing by France, which has asked them to block access to Shein’s website.
The court will have to consider whether a suspension is merited and whether it is in line with European Union law.
Is a Three-Month Ban Proportionate Under EU Rules?
The Paris prosecutor’s office stated last week that if Shein could demonstrate that it has ceased all sales of illicit items, a three-month ban might be considered “disproportionate” under the European Court of Human Rights’ case law.
The prosecutor, however, stated that it “fully backed” the government’s request that Shein present proof of the actions taken to stop those sales.
Concerns regarding consumer safety, illicit goods sales, and unfair competition are reflected in France’s action, which coincides with increased monitoring of Chinese behemoths like Shein and Temu under the EU’s Digital Services Act.
In the meantime, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton stated on Monday that he is investigating Shein to determine whether the fast-fashion retailer violated state laws on the sale of dangerous consumer goods and on unethical labor practices.
