Vinted responds to police investigation over claims children 'sold in plain sight' on platform
Vinted has said there is currently 'no credible evidence' of human trafficking on the website, following disturbing images circulating online.
Investigations are ongoing across Europe regarding concerning Vinted listings which appear to be 'selling' children.
Users of the secondhand marketplace have voiced their concern after seeing listings for everyday household items and used children's toys alongside inflated prices and what appeared to be physical descriptions of children.
One listing features images of a stuffed toy alongside the description 'months old' and 'kind' while another lists a 'used' three-year-old child.
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"15 female. Quiet. Submissive. Shy," reads a third listing, with the condition listed as 'satisfactory'.
Understandably, the posts have caused concern and distress, with French police since confirming that an investigation into the listings is ongoing.
"The truth must be established without any taboos. Platforms have responsibility: no space should be a hunting ground for predators," France's High Commissioner for Children, Sarah El Haïry wrote in a statement on social media.
Police in Frankfurt, Germany have also confirmed that they are investigating the posts, with an Instagram post from the force reading: " We take these reports very seriously. We are also aware of the emotional reactions and anxieties such descriptions can trigger."
Vinted's response to allegations of child trafficking taking place on its website
In response to the claims, Vinted has confirmed that it is conducting an investigation into the listings.
In a statement published on its website, the Lithuania-based company said there is currently no evidence that any of the listings are connected to child trafficking.
"German police and independent fact-checker Mimikama have found no credible evidence of child trafficking on Vinted. We have thoroughly investigated the listings currently being shared online and share this conclusion," the statement reads.
The statement went on to add that listings most likely refer to the age group the toy is intended for and not an actual child.
This is backed up by the statement from Frankfurt police, with the force stating 'there are strong indications that these are fake ads'.
Both Mimikama, an Austrian fact-checking site, and Snopes both backed up the statements that no credible listings had been uncovered.
Despite no credible evidence of child trafficking being uncovered, both French and German law enforcement services added that claims were being investigated in order to 'rule out any danger or criminal activity'.
"You can never be too careful," El Haïry added. "I would rather see a strict precautionary principle applied than a single child left at the mercy of their abusers."
"We want everyone to feel safe on Vinted," the marketplace added. "We take action every time we become aware of a suspicious listing - both through our own detection tools and via reports from members - and we review every case carefully.
"If a listing or a member's behaviour goes against our rules, we have a number of procedures in place; this may include banning accounts and carrying out further investigation," Vinted added.
"We encourage anyone who sees a listing that concerns them to report it directly so we can review it."
Topics: World News
Brenna Cooper