Is Temu Legit

What is Temu?

Temu is an online marketplace that sells a broad spectrum of products on the app and the Temu website—from home goods to tech gadgets, device accessories, and clothing. Its popularity has skyrocketed since it was launched in late 2022. Temu’s prices are extremely low, making its products accessible to a wide range of consumers across various markets—including the US, UK, Africa, France, Netherlands, and more. The e-commerce business is a subsidiary of PPD Holdings, a Chinese-owned company.

Is Temu legit?

Yes, Temu is a legitimate app, as shoppers generally receive their orders.This means that Temu is a reliable app. However, several unfulfilled orders have been reported. Some people might argue that this makes Temu a scam or that Temu is fake. However, Temu's Purchase Protection Program exists for such matters. It guarantees a refund for eligible items—including damaged items, orders that didn’t arrive, and those that don't match the online listing. Overall, Temu is a real company selling real goods. Essentially, Temu is not fake.

While the company is legit, it is not accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB). Since its launch, Temu has amassed 4,187 customer complaints on the BBB website, with an overall rating of 2.41 stars out of 5, and a B-accreditation score. It’s worth noting that the business responds to reviews posted on the BBB website, unlike in the app, as reported by some users.

Is Temu safe?

For years, users and security experts have raised concerns about using Temu. Like most apps, Temu collects as much personal data as you’ll let it.

Some US officials have taken action against Temu to protect its citizens. In June 2024, Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin filed a lawsuit against Temu, accusing the online marketplace of spying on users through its mobile app.

In the lawsuit, the Attorney General claims that Temu:

• Was created to gain unrestricted access to a phone’s operating system and collect info from the user's location data, camera, text messages, device apps, contacts, and documents
• Can override users’ data privacy settings meant for their protection
• Profits off the data it collects from users by selling it to third parties
• PDD Holdings—the Chinese company behind Temu—released a malware-ridden app called Pinduoduo that was suspended from Google Play in 2023
• Knowingly collects personally identifiable information (PII), including biometric data, using tools to intentionally carry out “dangerous malware and spyware activities”
• Contains app code that is intentionally designed to evade a device’s security measures, amends its code after downloading on users’ phones, and controls their devices remotely
• Shares users’ data with individuals and entities involved in Chinese law, including Chinese cybersecurity regulators, government officials, and national intelligence institutions.

Temu collects troves of data from users, including your:

• Name
• Birthday
• Address
• Phone number
• Social media profiles
• Photo
• GPS location
• Fingerprint
• IP address
• Browsing data
• Device’s operating system and version
• Information from third-party sources, including marketing partners, sellers, data brokers, social media, credit bureaus, and public records

Why is Temu so bad

Many people wonder why Temu gets such a bad reputation. Here are the main reasons:

• Deals that seem too good to be true: The prices on Temu can be so cheap, which makes it seem as if the products might be fake or part of a bait-and-switch scam.
• Too much data tracking: The app is notorious for tracking what users do. Obviously, this raises concerns about hacking, spying, and identity theft.
• Poor product quality: Since Temu works with multiple third-party sellers, the quality of products can change a lot. It's pretty common to run into users on social media complaining about items being cheap imitations or not matching the description.
• Weak customer support: Even though Temu says it offers a 24/7 support service, it can be hard to get help or refunds when something goes wrong.

So, while Temu does work, it's important to think about the risks. It may be super cheap, but it's not always safe or reliable.

Does Temu collect your data?

Yes—Temu collects a lot of your personal information. Here's what it gathers:

• Your contact and shopping details: This includes your name, email, phone number, address, and what you buy.
• Your location and device info: Temu can track where you are using GPS, and it knows what kind of phone or device you're using.
• Your online activity: Temu watches what you do in the app so that it can create a detailed profile about your habits and preferences.
• Biometric and behavioral data: This can include things like your fingerprint or how you use your device.

Temu may use this data to show you ads or recommend products—but that's not all. According to the U.S. lawsuit from Arkansas (which we've mentioned earlier), Temu acts like spyware. The app can reportedly sneak past phone security, rewrite its own code, and even take control of parts of your device.

Is Temu scam

Temu isn't a scam in the traditional sense. You can place orders, get your items, and even request refunds. In fact, Temu can be pretty good for purchases where quality isn't a priority. However, it has serious red flags you should know about. These include:

• Deceptive marketing: Temu often promotes high-quality products at super low prices—this can feel misleading when the actual items don't match the hype.
• Lack of transparency: Many sellers on the platform are anonymous or not verified, making it hard to know who you're really buying from.
• Security concerns: The app has been accused of acting like malware and stealing data, which can be a major issue when it comes to personal data.
• Ongoing legal issues: Lawsuits—like the one from Arkansas—have added to the app's negative image, with users wondering if Temu is truly a safe site to use.

How to use Temu safely

Temu can be tempting with its low prices, but it's smart to be cautious. Taking a few extra steps—like using a trusted payment processor, limiting permissions, and deleting the app when you're done—can make Temu safe to buy from.

Here are some easy ways to make Temu safe to use:

• Use a separate email address: Create a new email account just for Temu online shopping. This helps keep your main inbox safe from spam or phishing messages if your data gets leaked.
• Avoid entering sensitive info: Don't link your credit card or upload personal documents like ID photos. This protects you in the event of a potential data breach.
• Pay with PayPal: PayPal offers extra protection. If something goes wrong with your order, it's easier to dispute the charge and get your money back.
• Use a VPN: Just browsing Temu? A virtual private network hides your real IP address and location, making it harder for companies (and hackers) to track or steal your data. Just avoid free VPNs since they are unsafe and bring their own share of privacy issues.
• Limit app permissions: Go to your phone's settings (Settings > Privacy & Security on iOS and Settings > Apps > Permissions on Android) and turn off access to your camera, microphone, location, and anything else Temu doesn't really need.
• Delete the app after ordering: Once your package arrives, uninstall Temu. This reduces the risk of the app continuing to track you. Temu also has a legit site that you can make purchases from—just make sure to clear the browser cache once you're done.
• Invest in antivirus software: Reputable tools like Clario Anti Spy warn you if your email account ends up in a data breach. They also help you detect and patch security vulnerabilities to prevent apps from directly spying on you.

Given how much data Temu collects about you, there’s no telling where it could end up. If your email address is included in a privacy breach, catching it quickly can help you mitigate further consequences, like becoming a victim of identity theft. Clario Anti Spy’s Data breach monitor checks the internet for data leaks containing your email address so you can quickly secure it and other online accounts.

Use Clario Anti Spy’s Data breach monitor to check if your email address is exposed:

1. Download and install Clario on your laptop and click on Data breach monitor > Add email > Enter your email address > Add email.
2. Clario will provide a report after completing the scan. If it finds breaches containing your email, hit Get verification code, paste the code you received in the text box, and select Verify email > Review a breach.
3. You can read more about the breach by clicking Show details and selecting Fix with expert.

Clario Anti Spy comes with multiple other features to keep your mobile device safe from the dangers of apps like Temu. For instance, its Device system check feature can identify if you're running an outdated version of the system software, while its Anti-spy setup runs you through the best ways to enhance your privacy online. On Android, a Spyware scan can also help identify unsafe or fraudulent apps.

Conclusion

Is Temu fake or legitimate? This is one of the many questions you may have asked yourself or others in your quest to learn more about the platform. Temu is real, having fulfilled orders for countless customers. However, Temu’s collection and use of consumer data is questionable and potentially a huge privacy and security risk. If you’ve used Temu in the past, it’s time to prioritize your online privacy. Start by using Clario Anti Spy’s Data breach monitor to check if your data was leaked in a breach.