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Seemingly in a single day, everybody’s speaking about Temu, a web-based purchasing app stuffed with offers that appear too good to be true. You’ll discover $17 wi-fi earbuds, $1 “gold” necklaces and $23 marriage ceremony attire.
No surprise Temu is the most well-liked purchasing app within the U.S., behind solely Amazon. However most of us know little in regards to the app’s origins. Like these apps, it’s tied to China.
I did some digging into whether or not it’s secure to make use of. Right here’s what I discovered.
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The place did Temu come from?
This app is not some fly-by-night operation. Temu (pronounced “tee-moo”) relies in Boston, Massachusetts, by PDD Holdings Inc. PDD is headquartered in Shanghai, China. PDD additionally owns the e-commerce platform Pinduoduo headquartered in — you guessed it — China. (Extra on Pinduoduo and its shady app beneath.)
IS THIS CHINESE-BASED SHOPPING APP SPYING ON YOU?
Over 50 million People have downloaded Temu because it launched state-side in September 2022. You would possibly bear in mind its expensive Super Bowl ads promising to allow you to “store like a billionaire.”
The purchasing app is coming underneath investigation together with different Chinese language-based apps. (Statista)
Searches for phrases like “Is Temu legit” surged as soon as People noticed simply how low cost the costs are. Not surprisingly, you get what you pay for.
What you want to know earlier than utilizing Temu
First, you are shopping for items instantly from producers in China and different elements of the world. That is why delivery occasions are sometimes for much longer than on websites like Amazon. You would possibly get your stuff in per week, however that might be extra like 12 days.
For probably the most half, the costs are low as a result of the products are low cost. The images of what you see marketed is probably not what you truly get.
On-line reviewers appear to agree: Low-cost is sweet, however not when the standard is simply too shoddy to make use of. Temu’s BBB score is 2.21/5. Reviews at TrustPilot are fascinating, with 38% 5-star evaluations and 41% 1-star evaluations.
However that’s not the worst of it. As you store, Temu collects numerous info.
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It will get worse
Temu isn’t distinctive in all the information it needs to seize out of your cellphone, after all. Most apps on the market need as a lot as you’ll hand over. However contemplating its ties to Communist China, the permissions appear much more scary to me.
Temu collects, amongst different issues:
- The information you present, like your identify, tackle, and cellphone quantity.
- Particulars you enter, like your birthday, photograph, and social media profiles.
- Your cellphone or pc’s working system and model, your IP tackle, GPS location (if you happen to allowed it), and looking information.
In addition they collect extra about you from third-party sources, together with Temu sellers, public information, social media, information brokers, credit score bureaus, and advertising and marketing companions.
People utilizing Temu are promoting the nation out for bargains that actually aren’t price it. I say you delete it. Right here’s how:
Crimson flags flutter in entrance of the Nice Corridor of the Folks earlier than the annual two periods on March 4, 2022 in Beijing, China. The fifth session of the thirteenth Nationwide Committee of the Chinese language Folks’s Political Consultative Convention (CPPCC) opens on March 4. (Picture by VCG/VCG by way of Getty Pictures)
On iPhone, Lengthy-press an app, then faucet Take away App > Delete App. Faucet Delete to substantiate.
On Android, contact and maintain an app, then faucet Take away App > Delete App > Delete.
Nonetheless have TikTok in your cellphone? Here’s why it’s more complicated than fun viral videos.
In dangerous firm
Whereas Temu collects rather a lot, it’s nothing in comparison with Pinduoduo. Keep in mind, they’re owned by the identical firm.
Cybersecurity researchers discovered it wasn’t simply monitoring machine data and exercise – malicious code allowed it to bypass cellphone safety settings to spy on different apps, learn notifications and messages, and even change settings.
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Temu good points full entry to all of your contacts, calendars, and photograph albums, plus all of your social media accounts, chats, and texts. In different phrases, actually every thing in your cellphone.
The Chinese language-based purchasing app, Temu is changing into more and more standard however raises considerations. (CyberGuy.com)
Why? Firm insiders instructed CNN that it’s a technique to spy on customers and opponents to spice up gross sales.
No purchasing app wants this a lot management, particularly one tied to Communist China. Should you’re utilizing Pinduoduo, delete the app out of your cellphone ASAP. It’s additionally reportedly arduous to take away every thing, even after you delete it.
Professional tip: Should you downloaded Pinduoduo you actually need to do a full factory reset in your smartphone to wipe out any remaining code or monitoring.
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Plus, I give my recommendation to a man that wants an Android model of an Apple AirTag. In the meantime, National Parks are booming and one firm is cashing in massive time. Feeling misplaced in a sea of individuals? Don’t fret – Google Maps has you lined.
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