The truth about the topic – ‘toxic goods, data sales and addictive tricks’
His shopping website is known for selling incredibly cheap goods, but from allegations of forced labor to claims of third-degree burns, could Temu be too good to be true?
The popularity of retailer Temu rivals Amazon and Shein in the UK, but the Chinese shopping app is also shrouded in controversy.
Temu recently caused a stir by offering ‘free cash’ for new signups, with hundreds of people flooding the internet with screenshots of £50 being deposited into their PayPal accounts. The promotion, which was perfectly legal, offered a combination of cash and store credit to new members, but cyber security experts warned it could lead to people’s data being sold to advertisers.
“This app is actually offering money – not free – but it’s offering money in exchange for personal and device data,” Jake Moore, global cyber security advisor at ESET, told the Daily Mail. “Data is the new currency and has been for some time. In extreme cases, it can even be used for identity fraud because if that data is compromised, it can be very dangerous for those people who have provided their data.”
A company spokesperson countered: “We do not and will not sell customer data. Like many other companies, Temu uses a variety of marketing strategies to attract new customers. Our cash reward program offered incentives for referrals – a common customer acquisition method used in all industries Some participants expressed concern about the terms and conditions of the promotion (T&C).
“To reassure our customers, we’ve revised the T&Cs to clearly specify the minimum information used: usernames and profile pictures for referral notifications and winner announcements. The previous terms and conditions inadvertently included promotional uses in which Temu does not participate.”
This is not the first time Temu has been criticized for his actions. The retailer’s prices are often a third of those of Amazon, and 15 million people download the app in the UK alone.
Tempting items currently on sale include a children’s dinosaur backpack for £1.29 and a pair of ladies’ walking shoes for £7.78. But tonight’s Channel 4 Dispatches documentary revealed dangerous levels of toxic materials in products including children’s clothing.
Last year, the parents of Chloe Norris, 11, claimed she suffered third-degree burns and needed skin grafts after using glue bought from Temu to make her fake nails. The shopping app launched an investigation and offered the Kent schoolgirl a £1,500 loan as a goodwill gesture.
Consignment scheme makers found items including a child’s leather jacket costing just £11.09 contained ‘absolutely unacceptable high levels’ of antimony, a semi-metal linked to breathing and lung, heart and stomach problems. In response to the thread, he said: “Our tests confirmed that some items exceeded acceptable limits for heavy metals. These items have been permanently removed and we are working with the retailers involved.”
In a further statement, the spokesperson added: “After being informed of the unfortunate accident in which Chloe suffered burns after coming into contact with an adhesive purchased on our platform, we immediately launched an investigation into this and removed the product from our site. Our focus was there to support Chloe and her family and we resolved the matter in a fair manner and with respect for all parties involved.”
“Security is Topic’s number one priority. We immediately remove any disputed product listings pending review and have a comprehensive vetting, monitoring and enforcement process to ensure products meet platform rules and regulatory requirements.
“We value feedback from the public and the media, and our response to the Channel 4 Dispatches investigation demonstrates our serious and proactive approach to reports of potentially infringing or non-compliant products.”
Last year, US lawmakers warned that ‘extremely high-risk’ products sold on shopping sites were made with forced Uighur labor, referring to the oppressed ethnic group in China’s Xinjiang province. The retailer, which has more than 80,000 suppliers, has since said: “Allegations that Temu’s competitive prices were achieved through exploitative labor practices are unfounded.
“We are committed to ethical labor practices and our Third Party Code of Conduct prohibits any form of forced, child or criminal labor. The theme requires compliance with all local labor laws, including those relating to wages, working hours, voluntary employment, freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining. We require strict compliance with all regulatory standards and reserve the right to terminate any relationship with any company that violates our Code of Conduct or the law.”
Shipments will also reveal the obvious gimmicks that could lead to an addiction to the shopping app, with flash sales, prize wheels and games found to give customers the ultimate in satisfaction. “I think the Temu system is based on gambling technology,” said Conservative politician Iain Duncan Smith, who believes shopping apps should be scrutinized to see if stricter regulation is needed. “So instead of gambling on the outcome of something, they’re actually gambling on a way to get a cheaper product.”
In response, Temu said the app’s games were inspired by ‘funfair and mall activities’. “Temu’s gamification elements, such as limited-time offers, prize wheels and interactive games, are inspired by activities at fun fairs and shopping malls. These features are designed to be enjoyable and provide value by allowing customers to unlock discounts,” the spokesperson said.
“As a newcomer to the UK, we have been adapting our processes and design to suit local preferences and comply with relevant regulations. We are committed to working with stakeholders to address and improve aspects of our app.”
Watch The Truth About Temu: Dispatches tonight on Channel 4 at 8pm
Do you have a Temu story to share? Contact Vikki.white@reachplc.com.
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