Is Temu legit? Everything you need to know about the app | Digital Trends (2024)

Have you been looking for an Amazon shopping alternative? Outside of getting in your car and heading to your local brick-and-mortar establishment (scary, we know), one smartphone and tablet-friendly shopping tool you could take for a spin is Temu.

Contents

  • What is Temu?
  • Is the Temu app legit?
  • Is Temu a scam?
  • How to download the Temu app
  • Do you have to download the Temu app?
  • Why are Temu prices so cheap?
  • Does Temu offer protection for user data?

Launched in September 2022, Temu prides itself on its cost-friendly approach to buying stuff online. But is it a worthy stand-in for Amazon, or should you stick to the Almighty A for your household must-haves? Let’s find out!

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What is Temu?

Is Temu legit? Everything you need to know about the app | Digital Trends (1)

Temu is an online shopping app akin to Amazon that claims to host the best deals you can find online. With more than 250 different categories to choose from, it functions as an all-encompassing shopping app, as opposed to one for specific interests. Temu claims to be unique, however, by having lower prices than those found at other online sellers. While that’s not always the case with non-discounted items, the items sold at full price are — at the very least — sold at similar, if not the same, prices as they are on sites like Amazon, Target, or Walmart.

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Frequent sales and multiweek deals are common on the app, however, which means it’s worth taking a look there first before buying anything online to see if you can get what you’re looking for a little cheaper. Take note, however, that not all major brands are selling on Temu yet, as it’s still an up-and-coming marketplace. There are still plenty of big brands that are already selling there, however.

Is the Temu app legit?

As mentioned above, there’s been a fair amount of skepticism aimed at Temu, which is completely natural. Any time an app deals with sensitive information — like your credit card numbers and home address — it’s good to have some trepidation. However, concerns regarding Temu’s legitimacy are easily put to rest. Although new, the app is backed by PDD Holdings Inc., a multibillion-dollar company that has many years of global commerce experience.

In terms of other forms of verified legitimacy, Temu supports several forms of secure payment methods, including Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal, and most credit cards. Temu seems to be as legit as all other major online retailers.

Is Temu a scam?

Is Temu legit? Everything you need to know about the app | Digital Trends (5)

In short, no, Temu is not a scam. It’s a perfectly legitimate online shopping marketplace that has faced skepticism from people, as all new online retailers do.

There seems to be an additional amount of unfounded fear toward the company since the other major company that Temu’s parent company, PDD Holdings Inc., owns is Pinduoduo — a Chinese-based agriculture company. However, there’s plenty of evidence to show that both PDD Holdings Inc. and Pinduoduo are legitimate companies and that there’s nothing to be suspicious of.

Per a Temu representative who reached out to Digital Trends, “PDD Holdings Inc. owns and operates a portfolio of businesses globally, including Temu in the U.S. and Canada and Pinduoduo, the social commerce app in China. Pinduoduo is Temu’s sister company.”

How to download the Temu app

Downloading the Temu app is simple regardless of whether you’re using a phone running on iOS or Android since it’s offered on both. Head to the app store on your phone and search for “Temu.” The app icon is orange with white text and four small symbols. In the store, the app will be listed as “Temu: Shop Like a Billionaire.” Select the prompt to download the app, and you’ll have Temu on your phone whenever you’re looking to do some discounted shopping.

If you don’t want to download the app, Temu is fully functional in-browser as well. Simply head over to Temu.com, and you can access all of the features you’ll find on the app.

Download Temu for iOS

Download Temu for Android

Do you have to download the Temu app?

Absolutely not. If you’d rather do your shopping from a laptop or desktop PC (or you’d prefer to use your smartphone or tablet’s web browser), you can head to Temu’s website instead.

You’ll be able to do everything you can do in the Temu app, including category filtering, order tracking, inputting a payment method, and more.

Why are Temu prices so cheap?

Based on the company’s own responses to this question, Temu is able to offer much lower prices than competitors like Amazon, Best Buy, and Target because of its supply chain structure.

Employing a seller to consumer approach, all Temu’s products are sold through third parties. There’s also no product manufacturing taking place outside of China, so Temu isn’t held to the same regulations as US product developers.

Does Temu offer protection for user data?

This is a bit of a gray area at the moment. As part of Temu’s security and privacy terms, safeguarding customer info is a pretty big priority for the company. That being said, Temu has recently come under fire for mishandling user data.

A class-action lawsuit was filed against the company in February 2024 by the Hagens Berman law firm. Representing plaintiffs from Illinois, California, Massachusetts, and Virginia, Temu faces accusations of employing spyware and malware to access and share user data with third parties.

In a response to CBS 2, Temu asserts that they do not share customer data with third parties.

We’ll keep you posted on the ongoing lawsuit as it continues to unfold.

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Is Temu legit? Everything you need to know about the app | Digital Trends (2024)

FAQs

Is Temu legit? Everything you need to know about the app | Digital Trends? ›

It depends on your definition of 'legitimate'. Yes, most of the products on Temu are real, as in, you will receive them, and it takes about 10 days before they reach your doorstep. But any tech products you order on Temu are not name-brand unless they have a blue checkmark on their product listing.

Is the temu app safe to use? ›

Safety concerns have been raised around Temu and its data-gathering practices. According to a report by Grizzly Research, the app has the potential to escalate its privileges once installed, harvesting more user data than it really needs to operate. This isn't the first piece of bad press the company has faced, either.

Does the temu app spy on you? ›

BOSTON — Temu is one of the most popular shopping apps in the world, but a new lawsuit accuses the Chinese-owned company of spying on its customers.

What is the warning about Temu? ›

Cyber security experts have issued a warning against Chinese online marketplace megalith Temu's 'very dangerous' cash giveaway, claiming that it could lead to serious fraud. The retailer is offering users 'free' cash in exchange for new sign-ups - and hundreds of people are jumping on the bandwagon.

Should I use my card on Temu? ›

Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to use your debit card on Temu is up to you. If you're comfortable with the potential risks, you can proceed with caution. However, if you're concerned about security or product quality, you might want to consider using a different platform.

Does Temu track your data? ›

Automatic Information: We automatically collect information when you use Temu Services, such as your browsing and purchase history, as well as data collected through cookies and other tracking technologies.

Should I delete the Temu app? ›

9) Do not keep the app on your device.

TEMU may access, modify, or delete your files, photos, contacts, or other data on your device without your permission. It may also install malware, spyware, or viruses on your device that may harm its performance, security, or functionality.

Is Temu a security risk? ›

Temu was accused by the US government of potential data risks after its sister site, e-commerce platform Pinduoduo, was suspended by Google for containing malware. However, according to CNBC, analysts say Temu is less of a threat, and the risks associated with Pinduoduo were targeted at Chinese users.

How to get rid of Temu malware? ›

Locate the Temu app icon on your home screen or app drawer. Long-press the icon until a menu appears. Depending on your device, you might see an "Uninstall" or "Remove" option directly in the menu. Tap that option to uninstall Temu.

What are problems with Temu? ›

The opportunity to bag a cheap goods may seem tempting, but Temu has been accused of unreliable service and data misuse. US lawmakers have also said there is an “extremely high risk” some products are made using forced labour. Here, we look at how Temu works and what you should consider before using the platform.

Why is Temu so cheap? ›

Direct sourcing from China: Temu leverages its parent company's connections with Chinese manufacturers, cutting out middlemen and potentially lowering product costs. However, this can raise concerns about labor standards and product quality.

Is Temu safe to use debit card? ›

Yes, Using Your Debit Card on Temu Is Safe

Temu's platform is encrypted and follows strict data protection regulations to ensure your shopping experience is secure. They have a solid reputation for being legitimate and not stealing data, so you can shop with confidence.

Is Temu safe to give credit card info? ›

- Never give your full credit card number, tax identification number, or password in an email, Temu Message, or over the phone. - Check your credit card statement regularly to track your spending and card activity. - Keep track of your credit card: who is authorized to use it, and who has access to it.

Is Temu good quality? ›

Survey conducted November 2023. But some shoppers also shared negative experiences they'd had. Customers often called out the poor quality of Temu's goods. A few also raised questions about the company's ethics and the conditions of the workers who make the products it sells.

What should you not use your debit card for? ›

It is much better to use a credit card when making online purchases. 2) Restaurants. Consider this: your server often takes your card away to process your payment. While 90% of the time there is no problem, there is that 10% where the card is copied for their future use.

What are the ethical issues with Temu? ›

The brand's excessive product range and the potential for labour rights abuses in its supply chain are particularly concerning. Temu's lack of transparency means no one can know what is going on behind the scenes of the ultra fast fashion brand, and that's bad news.

Is Temu a Chinese company? ›

Temu is owned and operated by PDD Holdings, which also owns Pinduoduo, a common online commerce platform in China. PDD Holdings was initially registered in the Cayman Islands before moving its place of incorporation to Dublin in 2023. The Temu platform first went live in the United States in September 2022.

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