Is Shein Safe? Security Review
2/5
Overall Safety Score
★
★
★
★
★
Verdict: Shein has suffered a major data breach and been fined for mishandling it. Combined with its Chinese origins and aggressive data collection, users should exercise significant caution with personal and payment data.
Shein is a Chinese-founded fast fashion e-commerce platform that has become one of the most downloaded shopping apps globally. Its extremely low prices attract young consumers but its data practices have raised significant concerns.
Security Ratings Breakdown
| Category | Score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Encryption | 3/5 | |
| Privacy | 2/5 | |
| Track Record | 1/5 |
Security Features
- HTTPS encryption
- Payment card tokenization
- Account authentication
- Order tracking and dispute resolution
Privacy Concerns
- Extensive data collection including browsing behavior and device info
- Chinese-founded company (now headquartered in Singapore) raises data jurisdiction questions
- Aggressive tracking for ad targeting
- App requests permissions beyond shopping needs
Past Security Incidents
- 2018 data breach exposed personal data (names, emails, encrypted passwords) of 39 million users
- 2022 New York Attorney General fined Shein $1.9 million for failing to properly notify customers of the 2018 breach
- Shein initially told customers only 6.4 million were affected before the true scope was revealed
How to Stay Safe Using Shein
- Use a unique password not shared with other accounts
- Use PayPal or a virtual credit card instead of entering card details directly
- Minimize permissions granted to the app
- Consider using the website instead of the app
Safer Alternatives
- Amazon (better security)
- ASOS (similar fashion, UK-based)
- H&M (established retailer)
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Last updated: February 10, 2026