The second-hand clothing platform Vinted is currently facing an investigation in France due to reports that some user accounts have been redirecting visitors to pornographic content. Sarah El-Haïry, France’s Children’s Rights Commissioner, has requested that the regulatory body Arcom investigate these allegations, which were initially reported by French media.
Vinted, which serves 23 million users in France, lacks an age-verification system, potentially allowing minors to access explicit material without any proof of their age. The Lithuania-based company has stated that it adheres to a “zero-tolerance policy regarding unsolicited communications of a sexual nature or the promotion of sexual services.” They emphasize that all inappropriate content is removed and that action, including the blocking of users, is taken when necessary.
Reports indicate that some sellers, using swimwear or lingerie photos, have been directing viewers to personal pages on adult platforms like OnlyFans. El-Haïry remarked that predators may exploit the sale of ordinary clothing items to guide individuals to pornographic sites.
This situation comes amid broader concerns in France regarding other global e-commerce platforms. Recently, warnings were issued to companies including Shein, based in Singapore, after instances of childlike sex dolls appearing in their listings were reported. French authorities are investigating multiple e-commerce platforms, including Shein, AliExpress, Temu, and Wish, for potentially breaching laws concerning violent and pornographic content accessible to minors.
In response to concerns, Shein has banned the sale of sex dolls and is working to permanently block seller accounts associated with such items. The French consumer watchdog has stated that the descriptions of these dolls suggest a troubling resemblance to child pornography.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cr5eygg0l85o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss