Vinted Under Fire: Investigating Allegations of Pornographic Links on a Second-Hand Marketplace!

In a shocking turn of events, the second-hand clothing platform Vinted is currently facing scrutiny in France due to evidence suggesting that some user accounts are redirecting visitors to pornographic content. This investigation was prompted by France’s Children’s Rights Commissioner, Sarah El-Haïry, who has requested that the regulatory body Arcom probe into these alarming allegations, originally highlighted by French media.

With 23 million users in France, Vinted operates without an age-verification process, potentially exposing children and teenagers to inappropriate material without any checks on their ages. Responding to the crisis, Vinted, a company based in Lithuania, reiterated its zero-tolerance policy against unsolicited sexual content and stated that all inappropriate and illegal content is removed promptly. They emphasized their commitment by mentioning that they take necessary actions against users, including permanently banning offenders from the platform.

The situation first came to light when sellers, advertising swimwear and lingerie, were found to be using their profiles to lure viewers to personal pages on adult content platforms like OnlyFans. El-Haïry expressed concern over predatory behavior, stating that individuals are using the sale of everyday clothing items to direct customers to these illicit sites.

This investigation is part of a larger crackdown in France against various global e-commerce platforms. Recently, warnings have also been issued to companies like Shein, which have been involved in selling products deemed inappropriate for minors, sparking broader scrutiny regarding their listings. Notably, Paris prosecutors are looking into whether platforms like Shein, AliExpress, Temu, and Wish have violated laws concerning access to violent or pornographic content by minors. Furthermore, Shein has taken precautionary measures by banning the sale of sex dolls globally, acknowledging the serious nature of these violations, which have prompted formal investigations by the Paris Office des Mineurs focusing on the protection of children.

As this story unfolds, it highlights the pressing need for e-commerce platforms to implement stricter measures to protect minors from potential exploitation and exposure to harmful content.