Investigation of Vinted in France Over Adult Content Promotion
France's Directorate General for Competition, Consumer Affairs, and Fraud Control is investigating the Lithuania-based online marketplace Vinted due to allegations of adult content promotion, including links to OnlyFans pages. This inquiry seeks to address concerns about the platform's age-verification processes and the potential exposure of minors to inappropriate material.
Vinted's User Base and Safety Measures
With a significant user base of 23 million in France, Vinted has emphasized its dedication to maintaining a secure environment. The company has stated its zero-tolerance policy toward unsolicited sexual communication or the promotion of sexual services. According to official statements, Vinted takes immediate action to remove illegal or inappropriate content and, where necessary, blocks offenders permanently from the platform.
Allegations of Misuse for Adult Content Promotion
Recent reports have surfaced about certain Vinted sellers using photos of swimwear or lingerie as a facade to redirect users to personal adult content platforms like OnlyFans. These tactics reportedly involve exploiting the sale of everyday clothing items to serve as gateways to adult sites, raising concerns about predatory behavior on the platform.
Response to the Allegations
In response to these serious allegations, Vinted has expressed its commitment to addressing the issues with utmost seriousness. The company is taking steps to reinforce the safety and integrity of its marketplace in line with its policies and community standards.
Broader Scrutiny of Online Marketplaces
This investigation into Vinted is part of a larger examination by French authorities of e-commerce platforms' content management practices. Online retailers such as Shein and AliExpress are also under investigation for listing products that allegedly promote child exploitation. Such widespread scrutiny highlights the challenges e-commerce platforms face in monitoring and controlling content that may violate laws designed to protect minors from harmful material.
