Major on-line market Vinted beneath ban menace after ‘predators’ warning
Vinted is under fire after French authorities discovered users promoting pornographic content disguised as ordinary listings, with some redirecting buyers to X-rated sites like OnlyFans
Major online marketplace Vinted is facing possible regulatory action after there were reported users promoting pornographic content disguised as ordinary listings. A digital regulator has consequently been notified, with concerns growing over the platform’s responsibility and lack of age verification measures.
Active profiles on the second-hand sales platform Vinted were found to promote pornographic content under the guise of regular sales. The High Commissioner for Children for France, Sarah El Haïry has subsequently announced on Sunday (November 16) that she has notified Arcom, the French media and digital communications regulator.
Some listings visible Vinted have been reportedly redirecting users to other messaging services, through which the sellers were said to trade pornographic content.
Racy swimsuit and lingerie ads on the popular second-hand app are reportedly being used as bait to lure users onto X-rated sites, where sellers offer explicit content for cash. “I notified Arcom just a few hours ago” regarding Vinted, said El Haïry on French media France 3, because “predators” have “used the sale of fairly ordinary items, and ultimately they redirect to pornographic sites”.
Vinted should bear the full responsibility for the existence of such listings, according to El Haïry. She said: “Vinted makes money from these listings, so they have direct responsibility.
“When you are a platform as large, as important, and as family-oriented as Vinted, you are responsible for the listings on your site.” While Vinted is “intended for use by people over 18”, according to its terms of use, there are no age verification measures to filter access, France Bleu reported.
El Haïry stressed: “Pornography aimed at children is prohibited in our country, it is against the law, and it is my mission to protect children.”
She added: “Today, there are digital tools, IT tools, and above all legal responsibilities, which mean that when you are as powerful as a platform with millions of users (…), you have the responsibility to track what is on it.”
This comes as childlike sex dolls were found for sale on Chinese fast fashion giant Shein’s French website, sparking outrage and prompting French authorities to report the company to prosecutors and demand urgent action.
The explicit dolls, some styled as little girls with teddy bears and priced under £175, were described as having an unmistakably illegal and paedophilic nature, leading to an official investigation and potential fines.
Shein said it has removed the listings and is reviewing its controls, but officials have criticised the brand for allowing such products to appear on its site, the Daily Star previously reported.
The Daily Star has contacted Vinted for comment.
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