Watch the video: European Commission vs Shein — let's unbox the investigation

Euronews · Feb 18, 2026 · Collected from RSS

Summary

Everyone loves a good bargain. But what if your €3 t-shirt comes with extra baggage? It all started last year with a massive scandal in France. Authorities found illegal products, including a childlike sex doll, being sold on Shein. Now, the EU is stepping in.

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Published on 18/02/2026 - 11:19 GMT+1 The European Commission has just launched a formal, priority investigation into the e-commerce giant under the EU's Digital Services Act. Interested? Let's unbox this together. Brussels is targeting Shein's entire business model. They are investigating its addictive design, such as giving users points and rewards to keep them hooked, and demanding transparency about the secret algorithms that drive these products. If Shein is found guilty, it faces multi-million euro fines. France has even threatened to suspend access to the site entirely. And the crackdown does not stop there. Consumer watchdogs are raising the alarm on influencers pushing cheap "haul" and "dupe" videos on social media without disclosing they are paid partnerships. Finally, the EU is hitting these companies where it hurts: your wallet. Starting in July 2026, the EU is slapping a flat €3 customs tax on every single parcel under €150. With an estimated 12 million cheap packages entering the EU every single day, the days of tax-free shopping sprees on Chinese online marketplaces are officially numbered. And since the Chinese New Year just kicked off, Happy New Year to the e-commerce giants. The EU just opened a massive probe, and unfortunately, that is a gift you cannot return. Watch the Euronews video in the player above for the full story.

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France 245 days ago

EU launches probe against Shein over illegal items and addictive design

The European Commission has opened a formal investigation into Shein over suspicion that the online retail giant has violated the EU's Digital Services Act. The probe comes months after the online retail giant came under fire for allowing child-like sex dolls to be sold on its site. But first, France is inching closer to finalise a massive deal over the sale of 114 Rafale fighter jets to India, as Emmanuel Macron kicks off his state visit.

DW News5 days ago

Shein faces EU investigation over products, design features

EU regulators are investigating Shein on suspicion that it has not done enough to limit the sale of illegal products and to protect consumers from allegedly addictive design features on the platform.

BBC World5 days ago

Shein under EU investigation over childlike sex dolls

Europe is examining whether the fast fashion giant breached the Digital Services Act.

Al Jazeera5 days ago

EU opens probe into online global retailer Shein after sex-doll scandal

Investigation to focus on e-commerce platform's alleged sale of illicit goods and 'addictive design'.

The Verge5 days ago

Shein’s ‘addictive design’ and illegal sex dolls under investigation

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 … Read the full story at The Verge.

Engadget5 days ago

Europe probes Shein's addictive app design and illegal product sales

The European Commission (EC) has opened an investigation into low-cost fast fashion retailer Shein. EC officials are concerned about the sale of illegal products, including child sexual abuse material, as well as the potentially addictive design of its shopping experience. The Commission found fellow low-cost retailer Temu in violation of the Digital Services Act after a similar investigation last year. The probe is being opened under the Digital Services Act, a set of EU rules governing online services. The Commission will examine how Shein drives engagement with shoppers, including using a points and rewards system, and whether the company is properly mitigating the risk of addiction via these and other features. Algorithmic recommendation systems are another point of contention, and the Commission will ask Shein to disclose how it suggests products to users. It also says that the company must offer users a system that is not based on profiling. The Singapore-based company has faced a great deal of scrutiny in past years on a number of fronts, including its labor practices, materials sourcing, data practices and IP infringement. Last year the Texas Attorney General opened a probe into the company's safety and labor practices amid allegations that Shein uses forced labor as well as toxic or hazardous materials. Addictive design has been a recent priority for European regulators, with the Commission demanding that TikTok make changes to its platform after a similar probe concluded earlier this month. Algorithms have also been in focus, with the Commission recently launching a probe into how exactly X's recommendation algorithm works. The regulatory body will now continue collecting evidence in the matter, and holds the authority within the EU to levy fines and demand changes should the platform wish to continue operations in the region. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/general/europe-probes-sheins-addictive-app-design-and-il

Watch the video: European Commission vs Shein — let's unbox the investigation

Full Article

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EU launches probe against Shein over illegal items and addictive design

Shein faces EU investigation over products, design features

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EU opens probe into online global retailer Shein after sex-doll scandal

Shein’s ‘addictive design’ and illegal sex dolls under investigation

Europe probes Shein's addictive app design and illegal product sales

Watch the video: European Commission vs Shein — let's unbox the investigation

Full Article

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EU launches probe against Shein over illegal items and addictive design

Shein faces EU investigation over products, design features

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France 245 days ago
EU launches probe against Shein over illegal items and addictive design
The European Commission has opened a formal investigation into Shein over suspicion that the online retail giant has violated the EU's Digital Services Act. The probe comes months after the online retail giant came under fire for allowing child-like sex dolls to be sold on its site. But first, France is inching closer to finalise a massive deal over the sale of 114 Rafale fighter jets to India, as Emmanuel Macron kicks off his state visit.

DW News5 days ago
Shein faces EU investigation over products, design features
EU regulators are investigating Shein on suspicion that it has not done enough to limit the sale of illegal products and to protect consumers from allegedly addictive design features on the platform.

BBC World5 days ago
Shein under EU investigation over childlike sex dolls
Europe is examining whether the fast fashion giant breached the Digital Services Act.

Al Jazeera5 days ago
EU opens probe into online global retailer Shein after sex-doll scandal
Investigation to focus on e-commerce platform's alleged sale of illicit goods and 'addictive design'.

The Verge5 days ago
Shein’s ‘addictive design’ and illegal sex dolls under investigation
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 … Read the full story at The Verge.

Engadget5 days ago
Europe probes Shein's addictive app design and illegal product sales
The European Commission (EC) has opened an investigation into low-cost fast fashion retailer Shein. EC officials are concerned about the sale of illegal products, including child sexual abuse material, as well as the potentially addictive design of its shopping experience. The Commission found fellow low-cost retailer Temu in violation of the Digital Services Act after a similar investigation last year. The probe is being opened under the Digital Services Act, a set of EU rules governing online services. The Commission will examine how Shein drives engagement with shoppers, including using a points and rewards system, and whether the company is properly mitigating the risk of addiction via these and other features. Algorithmic recommendation systems are another point of contention, and the Commission will ask Shein to disclose how it suggests products to users. It also says that the company must offer users a system that is not based on profiling. The Singapore-based company has faced a great deal of scrutiny in past years on a number of fronts, including its labor practices, materials sourcing, data practices and IP infringement. Last year the Texas Attorney General opened a probe into the company's safety and labor practices amid allegations that Shein uses forced labor as well as toxic or hazardous materials. Addictive design has been a recent priority for European regulators, with the Commission demanding that TikTok make changes to its platform after a similar probe concluded earlier this month. Algorithms have also been in focus, with the Commission recently launching a probe into how exactly X's recommendation algorithm works. The regulatory body will now continue collecting evidence in the matter, and holds the authority within the EU to levy fines and demand changes should the platform wish to continue operations in the region. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/general/europe-probes-sheins-addictive-app-design-and-il