Temu, which launched in the U.S. in 2020, connects bargain-hunting shoppers with everyday items at really low prices, appealing to those who are on a budget or who enjoy bargain shopping.
A multi-year expert investigation has led to Attorney General Catherine Hanaway (R-Missouri) suing Temu.
According to the lawsuit, Temu is “intentionally designed to hack into devices and facilitate extensive data exfiltration.”
Hanaway reaffirmed on American Family Radio (AFR)’s “Jenna Ellis in the Morning” program that the e-commerce platform’s low prices and bargains act as a cover for aggressive, hidden data collection.
“Once we started digging into it, what we found out is that this is a company that’s based in China and that the CCP has access to the information that gets sent there,” Hanaway says.
Without the user’s knowledge, Temu can steal large amounts of Personally Identifiable Information (PII). And the communist nation has laws in place requiring companies to provide authorities with full access to their data.
Hanaway also noted the Temu app bypasses standard app store safety mechanisms to siphon personal information and target minors.
“It has access to your microphone, to your camera, to location data. It’s super dangerous,” Hanaway states.
Hanaway advised anyone who has downloaded the app to delete it immediately and monitor their accounts.
“Chances are if they’ve already downloaded it and used it, their information is out there to some degree. You definitely need to delete it, but then you need to become a very active observer of all the activity within your accounts to make sure that you’re not getting charged for things you didn’t buy,” Hanaway warns.
Consumers who notice suspicious activity can report issues directly to the Missouri Attorney General’s office or contact their own state’s attorney general.
Hanaway reassured in the press release that “our office will continue to crack down on illegal operations that intentionally harm Missouri consumers through deception and unlawful business practices. We will fight to protect Missourians’ privacy and to secure restitution for those victimized by Temu.”
