France has set its laws for online shopping. If any brand offers discounts, it should be based on the lowest price in the past 30 days. They have set out to protect consumers’ rights, but Shein repeatedly ignored this law. In a time where online shopping dominates, it’s our utmost duty to protect consumers from these manipulators.
It’s not the first time, Shein claimed in 2024 to have fixed the issues regarding the price tags, but now, in 2025, they were caught red-handed again. This is not the first time Shein has faced criticism in multiple countries, including the U.K., the US, and even India, due to violations in different sectors, where it was once banned altogether. However, France has always proved that it leads Europe when it comes to consumer rights.
France has a history of standing up for consumers. For instance, in 2020, France hit Apple with a €25 million fine due to a software update that intentionally slowed down older iPhones. In June 2023, France asked social media influencers to clearly label paid content; Violators will need to pay fines up to €300,000 or face 2 years in prison. These are not only fines, but also France’s continuous effort to support consumers’ rights and build trust, fairness, and transparency in the market.
Shein may have accepted the fine and promised compliance. But accepting a penalty doesn’t erase the damage. As the world becomes more digital, so do our everyday activities, from grocery shopping to wedding shopping, everything is now happening online. That’s why creating a fair and transparent online environment is more important than ever; it’s a matter of a country’s reputation. France is leading the way with multiple laws in this regard.
