Ikea Issues Warning After Viral Video Shows Woman Masturbating in Its Store

The Swedish retailer says it has since increased security and wants to remind customers to "browse stores in an orderly and civilized way."

Ikea
Getty

Image via Getty/Beata Zawrzel/NurPhoto

Ikea

Ikea says it has increased its security measures in light of a viral video that showed a woman pleasuring herself in one of its stores.

According to AFP, the incident occurred at a Chinese location, where the unidentified, half-naked woman was filmed masturbating on different pieces of furniture. The footage has since been scrubbed from Chinese social media, but screenshots of the footage have continued to circulate online. 

"We resolutely oppose and condemn this kind of behavior, and immediately reported it to the police in the city of the suspected store," the retail giant said in a statement to AFP.

Ikea did not confirm from which branch the explicit video was filmed, but said it is implementing "even more careful security and public cleanliness measures" while encouraging customers to "browse stores in an orderly and civilised way."

It's also unclear when the footage was shot; however, many people believe the incident occurred prior to the coronavirus lockdowns, as the video shows shoppers in the background without masks. There's also speculation that the store was located in South China's Guangdong Province because the woman is heard speaking Cantonese. But, again, the company has confirmed very little details, including whether it'll pursue criminal charges.

AFP reports Chinese citizens could face up to 10 days in administrative detention for deliberate public nudity. Anyone who is caught uploading and disseminating "obscene" online content could serve up to 15 days in detention and be ordered to pay a fine of up to 3,000 yuan (over $400 USD).

Latest in Life