Chinese factory producing “childlike” sex dolls halts production

A Chinese factory accused of producing “childish” sex dolls has been investigated by local authorities and ordered to stop production immediately.

The customizable dolls are reportedly being sold on major online shopping sites and social media platforms.

Chinese state-owned news outlet The Paper said local officials “attach great importance” to the issue.

Last month, online retailer Shein (which started in China but is now headquartered in Singapore) Global ban on sale of all sex dolls There was a public outcry over the sale of child-like dolls.

The company said at the time that it had “enhanced keyword blacklists to further prevent sellers from trying to circumvent product listing restrictions.”

Other e-commerce sites have also faced criticism for selling sex dolls with childlike features.

AliExpress has been investigated by French authorities over the issue.

Reuters reported in November AliExpress said it had banned a seller of sex dolls after the Chinese company “repeatedly denied ever selling sex toys on any platform.”

Sweden has also vowed to take action against online retailers selling such dolls.

“My principle now is that e-commerce companies take their responsibility and do everything possible to end the marketing of sex dolls that look like children,” Social Services Minister Camilla Walterson-Grunvall told AFP.

“If we see that this evolution is not happening, or is not sufficient, the government will not hesitate to legislate a different approach.”

Advances in artificial intelligence are making it easier to customize sex dolls ordered online, and some can even have a conversation.

According to The Paper, the factory currently under investigation is one of several in southern Guangdong province that produce customizable dolls with “childlike features.”