Commission opens DSA formal proceedings against Shein
The European Commission has opened formal proceedings against Shein under the EU Digital Services Act (DSA) for alleged violations relating to addictive design, lack of transparency of recommender systems, and the sale of illegal products including child sexual abuse material. The investigation will examine Shein's systems to limit illegal product sales in the European Union, risks linked to addictive service design including consumer rewards for engagement, and transparency of recommender systems used to propose content and products to users. Coimisiún na Meán, Ireland's Digital Services Coordinator, will be associated with the investigation as Shein's national coordinator in its EU country of establishment. The proceedings follow preliminary analyses of risk assessment reports and responses to three formal information requests sent between June 2024 and November 2025. The Commission will gather additional evidence through information requests, monitoring actions and interviews, and is empowered to take enforcement steps including interim measures or adoption of a non-compliance decision, or to accept commitments from Shein to remedy the matters under investigation.