The Truth About Temu

An online shopping platform named Temu recently rose to the top in popularity among young adults. Users love the wide array of products that are sold for incredibly low prices, and the app has been number one in the Apple App Store for months at a time. But where did Temu come from, and is it too good to be true? Here is everything you need to know about Temu.

Why is Temu special?

To start off, the name “Temu” means “team up, price down,” the company’s motto. It was founded in Boston in 2022, but its parent company PDD Holdings is based in China. Temu is an online marketplace just like any other website, but what makes it different is its self-proclaimed “Next-Gen” manufacturing system, which connects consumers directly to manufacturers. This process keeps the balance of supply and demand in check because the manufacturer is supplying the consumers themselves rather than separate retailers. Temu claims it has this system with the intention of helping its customers feel empowered to “live their best lives.” 

Is Temu an ethical business?

Temu has a wider variety of products than most of its comparable sites, selling not just clothes and accessories but kitchenware, makeup, and electronics. It even has a page for musical instruments. But where does it all come from? 

On the “About Temu” page of the website, the company claims that it stands for “Integrity” and social responsibility, specifically mentioning that the business is ethical. However, the info found on the website doesn’t say exactly where the products are sourced from. It repeatedly mentions that products are sourced from “millions of sellers, manufacturers, and brands globally,” but names none specifically. Temu’s parent company, PDD Holdings, is based in China, where in certain regions unethical business practices are common. Temu makes no claims of not sourcing products from regions of China or anywhere in the world where there could be labor exploitation, raising questions as to how ethical the business practices really are. 

Is Temu safe to use?

Temu has security certifications listed from many companies including Visa and Mastercard, but many customers have made claims of the company being a scam. There has been no investigation into this, but another app owned by PDD Holdings (the Chinese online shopping platform Pinduoduo) has been found to use malware. Malware can give unauthorized access to a user’s data. Despite a lack of investigation into customer claims, it’s important to consider whether Temu could be doing the same thing as its sister business (Pinduoduo). Temu is not accredited by the Better Business Bureau and reports 1157 complaints filed against the business. That seems like a lot for a company just barely a year old. 

Temu’s cheap prices and millions of products make it an enticing place to shop. How can anyone resist such deals? Whether a site appears socially responsible or not, it’s important to evaluate whether companies fulfill their promises of ethical behavior and integrity. 

Sources

Better Business Bureau. “Temu.com | Better Business Bureau® Profile.” BBB, https://www.bbb.org/us/ma/boston/profile/online-shopping/temucom-0021-553943/overview-of-bbb-ratings. Accessed 26 October 2023.

Chiang, Sheila. “Temu accused of data risks amid TikTok, Pinduoduo fears.” CNBC, 16 May 2023, https://www.cnbc.com/2023/05/17/temu-accused-of-data-risks-amid-tiktok-pinduoduo-fears.html. Accessed 27 October 2023.

Jones, Jessica. “Is Temu Safe?” SafeWise, 10 October 2023, https://www.safewise.com/news/is-temu-safe/. Accessed 27 October 2023.

Rishitha. “Is Temu Ethical? Comprehensive Insights You Need To Know — Ecowiser.” Ecowiser, 2 October 2023, https://wiser.eco/is-temu-ethical/. Accessed 26 October 2023.

Temu. “What is Temu.” Temu, 9 March 2019, https://www.temu.com/what-is-temu.html?refer_page_name=about-temu&refer_page_id=10027_1698249849469_jtd6ti5weq&refer_page_sn=10027&_x_sessn_id=j04d92szqb. Accessed 27 October 2023.

Temu. “Where Does Temu Ship From.” Temu, 9 March 2019, https://www.temu.com/where-does-temu-ship-from.html?_x_sessn_id=j04d92szqb&refer_page_name=about-temu&refer_page_id=10026_1698431111320_bu1fcnxvpw&refer_page_sn=10026. Accessed 27 October 2023.

Tetenbaum, Hilary. “Why Temu is so cheap–the secret behind Temu's budget-friendly products.” USA Today, 5 September 2023, https://www.usatoday.com/story/special/contributor-content/2023/09/05/why-temu-is-so-cheapthe-secret-behind-temus-budget-friendly-products/70767973007/. Accessed 27 October 2023.

Zheng, Sarah. “Pinduoduo App Malware Detailed by Cybersecurity Researchers at Kaspersky.” Bloomberg.com, 26 March 2023, https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-03-27/pinduoduo-app-malware-detailed-by-cybersecurity-researchers. Accessed 26 October 2023.