Lithuanian online marketplace Vinted says there is no credible evidence to support claims that listings on its platform are linked to child trafficking.
Media previously reported that French authorities had launched an investigation into Vinted, Europe's largest second-hand online marketplace and Lithuania's first unicorn, following allegations that some listings may have been used to facilitate child trafficking.
In a statement to BNS, Vinted said fact-checking organisation Mimikama found no substantiated evidence linking the listings to child trafficking.
"The claim that children are being sold on the Vinted platform is not supported by the screenshots circulating online. [...] They may indicate trolling, dubious advertisements, incorrectly selected categories, provocation or misuse of the platform. However, they are not evidence of child trafficking," Mimikama said on its website.
According to Vinted, some of the listings are deliberately created to fuel allegations of child trafficking.
"In cases where such listings are intentionally fabricated to provoke this discussion, we remove them immediately and take action against the associated accounts, including blocking them. We are cooperating with the competent authorities conducting their investigation," the company told BNS.
Lithuanian news website 15min, citing Spanish outlet Mundoamerica, reported on Friday that dozens of screenshots and videos showing Vinted listings have been circulating on social media, with claims that they may be being used to disguise child trafficking.
Citing French news outlet Europe1, 15min also reported that French police had opened an investigation into the listings on the Vinted platform.
"The authorities immediately reported these listings to PHAROS, France's national centre for reporting illegal online content, which is investigating their origin and purpose," 15min reported.
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