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.
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Get Aura - Best Overall Protection →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