What was the reason for Shein's fine in France?

Shein was fined 150 million euros for improper use of cookies, failing to comply with regulations regarding user consent and data protection.

How does the fine relate to Shein's revenue?

The 150-million-euro fine represents around 2% of the 7.684 billion euros in revenue that Shein's Ireland-registered entity reported for Europe in 2023.

What is Shein's stance on the CNIL's decision?

Shein contests the CNIL's decision, stating that the fine is disproportionate and claims to have fully cooperated with the authority while enhancing its data protection practices.

How many French residents visit Shein's site monthly?

According to the CNIL, approximately 12 million French residents visit Shein's website every month.

What actions has Shein taken in response to the fine?

Shein stated it has taken proactive corrective actions and strengthened all aspects of its data protection practices since August 2023.

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Home > Finance > France fines Shein $176 million over cookies

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France fines Shein $176 million over cookies

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®

Posted on September 3, 2025

3 min read

Last updated: January 22, 2026

France fines Shein $176 million over cookies - Finance news and analysis from Global Banking & Finance Review

Shein Hit with $176 Million Fine by France for Cookie Violations

By Helen Reid

PARIS (Reuters) -Online fast-fashion retailer Shein received a 150 million euro ($175.61 million) fine on Wednesday from France's data protection authority over the improper use of cookies, a decision the company contested and said it would appeal.

The Commission Nationale de l'Informatique et des Libertés (CNIL), a government body charged with enforcing consumer data protection, said Shein's website failed to comply with regulations in collecting consumers' data without consent.

When users browsing Shein's French site opted out of cookies - small files that allow websites and advertisers to identify individual users and track their browsing habits - some were still found to be placed on the user's computer regardless, the commission said in a statement detailing a test it conducted on the site in August 2023.

Under the European Union's General Data Protection Regulation, cookies are considered personal data because they are used to identify shoppers and target them with ads, and websites must obtain consent to use them.

"The size of this fine takes into account the fact the company has ignored several obligations, by depositing cookies without users' consent, not respecting their choices and not correctly informing them," the CNIL said in a statement.

Shein's scale also fed into the decision, the commission added, saying 12 million French residents visit the site every month.

Shein said it "firmly contests" the CNIL's decision and will file an appeal.

"We consider the fine to be wholly disproportionate, given the nature of the alleged issues, our current full compliance, and the proactive corrective actions we have taken," the fast fashion retailer said in a statement.

Shein said it had fully cooperated with the CNIL since August 2023 and strengthened "all aspects" of its data protection practices.

The company, which was founded in China and is headquartered in Singapore, said the size of the fine "appears politically motivated rather than the result of fair and balanced enforcement".

Shein, which sells 12-euro dresses and 20-euro jeans, has faced criticism in France, where lawmakers have backed a draft law regulating fast fashion that would, if implemented, ban Shein from advertising.

The 150-million-euro fine represents around 2% of the 7.684 billion euros in revenue Shein's Ireland-registered entity reported it made in Europe in 2023, the most recent year for which there is official data.

(Reporting by Helen Reid and Leigh Thomas; Editing by Sonali Paul)

France fines Shein $176 million over cookies

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Shein Hit with $176 Million Fine by France for Cookie Violations

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