French authorities have launched a formal investigation into the popular second-hand clothing platform Vinted following serious allegations that some sellers are using the site to promote pornographic content.
The Core Allegations
It is claimed that individuals selling items such as swimwear and lingerie on Vinted are posting listings that ultimately lure viewers to their personal pages on the adult subscription platform OnlyFans. This practice was first highlighted by French media outlets.
Sarah El-Haïry, France's Children's Rights Commissioner, confirmed the misuse of the platform, stating, "Predators have been using the sale of ordinary items of clothing to direct people to porn sites." The case has been referred to the Paris Office des Mineurs, which specialises in child protection.
Widespread User Base and Safety Concerns
The investigation raises significant child protection concerns, as Vinted boasts 23 million users in France alone. A critical point of contention is the platform's lack of a robust age-verification procedure.
This means children and teenagers can access the site without having to prove they are over 18, potentially exposing them to illicit content. France’s Children’s Rights Commission has formally asked the media watchdog Arcom to examine these allegations.
Broader E-Commerce Crackdown in France
This probe into Vinted is part of a much wider crackdown by French officials on major online marketplaces. Paris prosecutors are currently examining whether several global e-commerce giants, including Shein, AliExpress, Temu, and Wish, have breached laws concerning minors' access to violent, pornographic, or "undignified" content.
In a separate but related investigation, Shein and AliExpress are being probed for the alleged dissemination of child-related pornographic material. Shein was previously warned by France after it was found to be selling childlike sex dolls. The French consumer watchdog described the dolls in terms that left "little doubt as to their child-pornography nature."
Shein has since stated it has banned the global sale of such items and permanently blocked the responsible seller accounts. Furthermore, the European Commission recently stated that Temu was not doing enough to combat the sale of illegal products online, posing a "high risk" to EU consumers.
In response to the allegations, Vinted, which is headquartered in Lithuania, issued a statement affirming its "zero-tolerance policy regarding unsolicited communications of a sexual nature or the promotion of sexual services."
The company assured that all inappropriate and illegal content is removed and that it takes measures against offending users, including permanent bans. Vinted confirmed it is taking the current situation very seriously.
