Shein uses algorithms and AI-powered monitoring systems to scan social media, apps, and websites for trending or viral images and designs, which are then used to guide product manufacturing — a practice alleged in multiple lawsuits to have produced exact copies of independent designers' copyrighted work.

Multiple lawsuits filed in U.S. federal courts (Perry, Martinez & Baron v. Shein, C.D. Cal. 2023; Giana v. Shein, S.D.N.Y. 2024) allege that Shein uses 'algorithms, AI, and related computerized monitoring systems to identify trending and viral images and designs on social media, apps, and websites,' and that design outputs are transmitted directly to factories with no human compliance review. Shein has denied wrongdoing, stating it takes infringement claims seriously. The Giana case was dismissed for lack of personal jurisdiction; the Perry case advanced past Shein's motion to dismiss and was in mediation as of early 2026. Shein has not publicly confirmed the specific design-scraping system described in the lawsuits.