The French government has asked major online marketplaces like Vinted and eBay to block listings that include stolen goods in light of recent thefts in the country.
Immediate Actions by the French Government
Amélie de Montchalin, the French Minister for Digital Affairs, announced in a post on social media platform X: "We expect these platforms to remove the relevant listings without delay." She also added that these companies must work closely with public authorities to identify and prosecute individuals who resell potentially stolen goods.
Read more: FAA bans unauthorized drone flights at the US-Mexico border
The minister and cabinet members arranged a meeting at 7 PM with representatives from Vinted, Amazon, eBay, Meta, and TikTok, as well as the independent selling platform Leboncoin. This meeting was held to coordinate between authorities and platforms to identify individuals behind suspicious listings.
Response from Online Platforms
A spokesperson for Vinted France stated that the sale of stolen goods or requests to purchase such goods is strictly prohibited on the platform. The representative said: "We have a zero-tolerance policy in this regard" and added: "Since last weekend, our teams have taken immediate actions to identify and remove listings that may include stolen goods, and we have increased monitoring of suspicious listings."
Other platforms did not immediately comment on this matter, but discussions with resale websites are likely to address longer-term questions about platform responsibility and oversight of illegal trade in the EU's digital marketplace.
A spokesperson for the European Commission, Thomas Renier, said: "The issue of stolen goods being sold on online marketplaces is a new dimension, and the Commission is pleased to work with French authorities to address it."
Élisabeth Borne, the Prime Minister of France, has instructed local authorities to implement "minor restrictions" on Monday evening to prevent further thefts and riots. Additionally, Serge Papin, the Minister for Small Businesses, announced that a "special support fund" will be established to provide financial assistance to about 3,000 local businesses affected by the unrest over the weekend.
Read more: The importance of US independence in agricultural fertilizer production · France prepares for nationwide protests
