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Shein tightens compliance controls after major fines over privacy, discounts, and greenwashing

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Shein, the fast-fashion giant, is overhauling its internal governance after a string of regulatory fines across Europe for data privacy breaches, misleading discounts, and greenwashing, according to company memos, investor letters, and sources familiar with the matter.

In a letter to investors reviewed by Reuters, Executive Chairman Donald Tang said Shein has launched a “Business Integrity Group” to unify compliance, governance, and external affairs functions, while expanding its internal audit capacity to strengthen corporate discipline.

Over the past three months, the company has been fined €150 million ($175 million) in France for data violations, €40 million for deceptive pricing practices, and €1 million in Italy for greenwashing claims. Shein is appealing the largest fine, but faces further scrutiny from an ongoing EU product safety investigation.

The Singapore-headquartered firm — which ships from factories in China to over 150 countries — is also rolling out stricter compliance frameworks in the U.S., Canada, Brazil, and Mexico as part of a global pilot program. Job postings show new audit and risk management roles in Los Angeles to reinforce oversight.

Tang admitted in the August 25 letter that Shein faces “heightened political and regulatory headwinds” in Europe and tariffs in the U.S., which have slowed growth. Coresight Research projects Shein’s U.S. revenue will rise 20.1% in 2025, down sharply from 50% growth this year, while Europe is expected to surpass the U.S. for the first time.

Shein’s compliance revamp follows mounting criticism of its opaque governance, copyright issues, and environmental standards — with a French OECD agency finding it noncompliant with global responsible business guidelines.

Microsoft Unifies AI Marketplaces for Business Buyers

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Microsoft announced on Thursday that it is merging its separate AI marketplaces into a single platform called the Microsoft Marketplace, streamlining how businesses access AI tools.

Previously, the company ran one marketplace for software developers building on its Azure cloud and another for AI-powered applications and “agents” designed to complete tasks for end users.

The unified marketplace launched in the U.S. on Thursday and will roll out globally in the coming months. It is aimed squarely at corporate technology buyers, with apps integrated for smooth use alongside Microsoft products. Purchases will also be handled through customers’ existing Microsoft billing systems, said Alysa Taylor, chief marketing officer for commercial cloud and AI.

Unlike consumer app stores, Microsoft will not charge commissions on sales. Instead, it collects a publishing fee for apps listed and benefits from the developers’ use of Microsoft cloud services.

To ensure business data security, all apps must pass Microsoft’s security and compliance reviews before being listed. “There’s a gate to get into the marketplace,” Taylor noted.

The move consolidates Microsoft’s AI ecosystem, making it easier for companies to discover, deploy, and pay for AI tools within the broader Microsoft environment.

Paxos Trust Settles New York Charges Over Binance-Related Compliance Failures for $48.5 Million

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Paxos Trust agreed to pay $48.5 million to resolve charges brought by New York’s Department of Financial Services (DFS) over its inadequate oversight of illegal activity tied to cryptocurrency exchange Binance. The settlement includes a $26.5 million civil fine and a $22 million commitment to improve Paxos’s compliance program.

The DFS investigation found that Paxos, which partnered with Binance to market and distribute the Binance USD stablecoin, failed to effectively monitor wrongdoing on Binance’s platform. It did not escalate red flags to senior management and had systemic lapses in its anti-money laundering (AML) controls. A review ordered by New York revealed that between July 2017 and November 2022, about $1.6 billion of transactions on Binance’s platform involved illicit actors such as Ponzi schemers and sanctioned darknet marketplace participants. Transactions also involved entities sanctioned by the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control.

Following the regulator’s February 2023 order, Paxos ceased issuing Binance’s stablecoin and ended its partnership with the exchange. Paxos stated it had fully addressed the compliance issues, with no harm to customer accounts or consumers.

Binance itself was not a defendant in this New York case but pleaded guilty in November 2023 and agreed to a $4.32 billion criminal penalty for federal anti-money laundering and sanctions violations. Meanwhile, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission dropped its civil case against Binance in May 2025, signaling a shift in cryptocurrency regulation during President Donald Trump’s current term.