Remember that sex doll sharing startup? It just got shut down

Photo credit: Leiphone.

Just days after a Chinese startup launched a “girlfriend sharing” service involving sex dolls, the app has been shut down by authorities.

The dolls were available though an app for rent on a daily basis for US$45. It offered five varieties: “Greek bikini model,” “US Wonder Woman,” “Korean housewife,” “Russian teenager,” and “Hong Kong race car cheerleader.”

“We are sorry to announce that Ta Qu will suspend the operation of its ‘girlfriend sharing’ service,” said the startup in a notice posted to its Weibo, as spotted by South China Morning Post. “Soon after [it] launched, it triggered intensive attention and heated discussion online [and] we were informed by relevant authorities to cooperate voluntarily with all the investigations and accept the punishment.” The app’s store for sex toys – purchased, not rented – remains unaffected.

Photo credit: Leiphone.

The raunchy rental service was inspired by a wave of “sharing” startups in China, including bicycles and umbrellas.

It’s unclear what charges are faced by the entrepreneurs, who were last week spotted promoting their sex doll rentals at a Beijing park, replete with a stage that featured the tagline “girlfriend sharing.”

All deposits will be returned.

Photo credit: Leiphone.