Children sold on Vinted: the dark side of C2C marketplaces
The Telegraph uncovers covert listings of minors on Vinted. Reality or alarmism? The moderation gaps in C2C platforms.
English · Original discussion in Spanish · Published
Children sold on Vinted: the dark side of C2C marketplaces
A report published by The Telegraph has cast light on an alleged market for minors on Vinted, the second-hand trading platform. According to the article, certain listings concealed offers of children behind cryptic descriptions. Although the company denies it and the cases are hard to verify, the debate has erupted on social media and forums.
Nothing new under the sun
It is not the first time that legitimate marketplaces have been used for illicit activities. The sale of exotic animals, bladed weapons or even minors has appeared on platforms such as eBay, Wallapop or Vinted. The difference here is the opacity: sellers use codes, innocuous photos and fake labels to evade automatic filters.
In the thread that has been circulating, most commenters take it as given that "that industry exists and is bigger now than ever". Others, more sceptical, point to "honey pots" or trap accounts set up to detect potential buyers. What nobody disputes is that, with current moderation systems, it is impossible to guarantee that such transactions do not happen.
Scepticism as a response
From a regulatory standpoint, the case exposes a loophole. C2C platforms operate under the umbrella of the sharing economy, but without the obligations of traditional commerce. The EU Digital Services Act, which came into force in 2024, requires large platforms to "know their commercial customer", but it does not cover private sellers or peer-to-peer transactions.
The debate, therefore, is not only about whether Vinted is a trafficking channel, but about how much tech companies can self-regulate. Until there are court complaints, the controversy will remain smoke and mirrors: anonymous reports, unverified screenshots and trust in the company's word. The Telegraph has provided data, but scepticism is healthy.
The figure that raises eyebrows
According to the original report, the price of these "listings" was around 1,000 euros. A low figure for a human being, but enough to make a buyer think twice. Or enough for the platform, which takes a commission on every sale, to turn a blind eye. Until someone proves otherwise, doubt is inevitable.
A report published by The Telegraph has cast light on an alleged market for minors on Vinted, the second-hand trading platform. According to the article, certain listings concealed offers of children behind cryptic descriptions. Although the company denies it and the cases are hard to verify, the debate has erupted on social media and forums.
Nothing new under the sun
It is not the first time that legitimate marketplaces have been used for illicit activities. The sale of exotic animals, bladed weapons or even minors has appeared on platforms such as eBay, Wallapop or Vinted. The difference here is the opacity: sellers use codes, innocuous photos and fake labels to evade automatic filters.
In the thread that has been circulating, most commenters take it as given that "that industry exists and is bigger now than ever". Others, more sceptical, point to "honey pots" or trap accounts set up to detect potential buyers. What nobody disputes is that, with current moderation systems, it is impossible to guarantee that such transactions do not happen.
Scepticism as a response
From a regulatory standpoint, the case exposes a loophole. C2C platforms operate under the umbrella of the sharing economy, but without the obligations of traditional commerce. The EU Digital Services Act, which came into force in 2024, requires large platforms to "know their commercial customer", but it does not cover private sellers or peer-to-peer transactions.
The debate, therefore, is not only about whether Vinted is a trafficking channel, but about how much tech companies can self-regulate. Until there are court complaints, the controversy will remain smoke and mirrors: anonymous reports, unverified screenshots and trust in the company's word. The Telegraph has provided data, but scepticism is healthy.
The figure that raises eyebrows
According to the original report, the price of these "listings" was around 1,000 euros. A low figure for a human being, but enough to make a buyer think twice. Or enough for the platform, which takes a commission on every sale, to turn a blind eye. Until someone proves otherwise, doubt is inevitable.
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Summary of a discussion on Burbuja.info - Foro de economía, actualidad y política., translated from Spanish and reviewed before publication. Read the full discussion (22 replies).
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