Fresh Concerns as Lawsuits Claim Shopping App TEMU Accesses All Data Stored in Users’ Phones
Feb 23, 2024 – ATLANTA – TEMU, the rapidly growing Chinese online shopping app, is currently at the center of a privacy row following allegations that the application has total access to all data stored on users’ phones, according to recently proposed class action lawsuits.
About the Lawsuits
The lawsuits against TEMU, a company that gained widespread recognition following its Super Bowl advert, are focused on what the application does on users’ cell phones. The accusations suggest that the application gathers data unnecessarily and gives the company total access to phone contents, a move that many perceive as a violation of users’ privacy.
Allegations Against TEMU
Resulting fame from Super Bowl advertisements and sponsored social media posts has driven TEMU’s rapid growth. However, allegations suggest that TEMU’s incredibly low prices come with an enormous privacy trade-off. According to the lawsuits, TEMU allegedly uses spyware and malware, granting itself full access to all data contained on a user’s phone, which goes beyond the necessary scope for an online shopping app.
Reaction from TEMU
TEMU, in response to the lawsuits, has vehemently denied the allegations, stating, “we categorically deny the allegations and intend to vigorously defend ourselves against these meritless lawsuits. Safeguarding privacy is one of TEMU’s core values.”
Investigations
In light of the escalating privacy concerns surrounding TEMU, an independent analysis conducted found that while the prices on TEMU are “crazy cheap,” it appears to potentially come at the cost of customers’ private data. The findings suggested a high risk of personal data intrusion for customers using the TEMU app.
Consequently, several users have taken steps to distance themselves from the platform amidst privacy invasion fears. One user, Georgia Tech student Shadah Mohammad, despite being captivated by the application’s mesmerizingly cheap deals, decided to unsubscribe from the application completely owing to the allegations.
The Greater Picture
It is crucial to note that while these allegations draw attention to TEMU’s data practices, the app, according to its data disclosures in the app store, gathers data in fewer categories than some key competitors, including Amazon. This fact raises wider discussion and concerns about data privacy and data collection practices in the broader tech industry.
Impact and Next Steps
Despite the current privacy concerns, TEMU continues to retain its position as the leading online shopping app on both Apple and Play Stores. The public’s and courts’ reactions to the allegations and subsequent investigations will shape future developments in data privacy rules and their implementation in the tech industry, with possible ripple effects on other tech companies’ data practices.
