Chinese fast fashion app Shein is now available in India for the first time in five years, as part of a first-of-its-kind agreement to allow India's largest retailer operate the platform in the country.
India had banned Shein, TikTok and several other Chinese apps in 2020, over claims that China's government had used the apps to steal user data, and as armed conflicts at the Himalayan border escalated tensions between the two countries. According to BBC News, Shein was relaunched in India on January 31, although its deliveries are currently limited to Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru, with plans to eventually expand to the rest of the country.
As a condition of Shein's return, India-based Reliance Retail will have full control over the platform's operations and data in the country, with Shein functioning strictly as a technology partner. All customer data will also have to be stored in India, and Shein will have to submit to regular cybersecurity audits from government-approved firms. Moving forward, all items sold by Shein in India will have to be manufactured and sourced from inside the country, and shipped to customers without delivery fees.
