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European Commission Launches DSA Investigation into Shein Over Illegal Products

By  |  February 17, 2026
Digital Services Act

The European Commission on Tuesday formally opened an investigation into ultra-fast fashion retailer and online marketplace Shein under the European Union’s Digital Services Act (DSA), marking a significant escalation in regulatory scrutiny of the platform.

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    The probe will examine suspected violations of the DSA related to the sale of illegal products on Shein’s platform, including “child-like sex” dolls that were previously flagged by French authorities, according to Euractiv. EU regulators will assess the mechanisms Shein has in place to prevent the distribution of unlawful goods, including items that could amount to child sexual abuse material (CSAM), per Euractiv.

    The investigation will also focus on the company’s broader compliance with rules governing online platform design and transparency. In particular, the Commission is reviewing concerns about potentially addictive features embedded in Shein’s interface, as well as the functioning and transparency of its algorithmic recommender systems, according to Euractiv.

    Regulatory pressure on Shein intensified late last year. In November, French authorities and members of the European Parliament raised concerns over the availability of illegal goods on the site, including “child-like” sex dolls. The issue prompted the Paris prosecutor’s office to initiate a criminal investigation into the platform’s activities, per Euractiv.

    Following those developments, the Commission exercised its powers under the DSA to request detailed information from Shein about how it monitors listings and addresses systemic risks associated with its operations across the EU, according to Euractiv.

    Read more: EU Designates WhatsApp as Very Large Platform Under Digital Services Act

    Shein has been classified as a Very Large Online Platform (VLOP) under the DSA since April 2024. This designation subjects the company to the EU’s most stringent digital governance requirements, which are directly overseen by the Commission. As a VLOP, Shein is required to assess and mitigate systemic risks, including the spread of illegal content and products.

    Beyond the sale of unlawful goods, regulators are scrutinizing certain design features of the platform that may encourage excessive user engagement. The Commission specifically highlighted the practice of awarding users “points or rewards for engagement,” according to Euractiv. Officials have indicated that such features could pose risks to users’ well-being and may conflict with EU consumer protection standards.

    The investigation will further examine how Shein’s recommendation systems promote products and content to users. Under the DSA, platforms of Shein’s size must clearly explain the main criteria driving their recommendation algorithms and offer users an “easily accessible” option to opt for recommendations that are not based on profiling, per Euractiv.

    In response to the Commission’s move, a spokesperson for Shein stated that the company has invested “significantly” in measures to comply with the DSA. In a press statement sent to Euractiv, the company added that it would cooperate fully with the ongoing investigation.

    Source: Euractiv