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Online retailers featuring Shein, Temu, AliExpress and Wish are currently under investigation in the French Republic for the charge of allowing minors to view adult material on their services, the Paris prosecutor announced on this Tuesday.

The nation's consumer protection agency had flagged the companies to the judicial system on this past Sunday after voicing alarms about the marketing of minor-looking sex dolls on the Shein website during the weekend.

The Paris prosecutor's office noted that the online services are being looked into over harmful, explicit or “undignified” messages that can be viewed by underage users.

One of the platforms stated that it views the issue extremely earnestly. These companies have also been contacted for comment.

Broader Inquiries and Platform Reactions

These platforms are furthermore being examined over the distribution of information involving youngsters that are of a explicit nature, the agency mentioned.

The issues have been passed to the French minor protection office, the prosecution service explained. This division is an branch of the law enforcement that manages the protection of minors.

The company commented that the items in question violated its guidelines and were removed once it learned of them.

"Sellers discovered to violate or trying to circumvent these requirements will be penalised in line with our rules," AliExpress said in a statement.

On this Monday, the retailer announced it had prohibited the sale of any sex dolls on its website worldwide. The Singapore-based company also mentioned that it would terminate all seller accounts associated with the unlawful sale of the childlike dolls and set tighter safeguards on its platform.

Agency Observations and Broader Background

The regulatory authority, the consumer protection directorate, had said that the sex dolls' description and classification left "little doubt as to the exploitative essence" of the products.

The examination of the platform occurs while the business, which was founded in China, prepares for the launch on this Wednesday of its inaugural long-term physical outlet in the French Republic.

Activists have been spotted gathered in front of the Paris retail outlet where the company is scheduled to establish the store.

The retailer aims to open shops in further French retail chains in cities like Dijon, Reims and Angers.