Officials flagged sandals with 11 times the legal lead limit! Google’s forcing your site to train its AI if you want it searchable. Plus, the FTC is cracking down on fake reviews, and a hack to find cheap flights online.
Temu class-action lawsuit: Is the cheap shopping app worth downloading? (No!)
I saw this coming. I’ve been warning about the shopping app Temu since April when its sister app, Pinduoduo, was caught planting malware. It was spying on other apps, reading notifications and messages, and even changing settings.
The U.S. government accused Temu of data risks … and now the lawsuits are here. A class-action filed in Illinois says the Chinese app collects more info than it needs and than it discloses.
Why in the world are people still using it? The deals, of course!
On a slow boat from China
An HD Wi-Fi security cam for $6.98. An Android fitness watch for $8.38. A $7.99 wedding dress feels like bad vibes, with even the cake in tiers.
You might get lucky and find a gem that matches the description, but I wouldn’t bet on it. Shipping is slow, too, since they’re coming from China.
In exchange for those cheap goods and prices, Temu makes money with your data. The app requests 24 permissions on your device, including access to your Wi-Fi network info, Bluetooth, photos and videos, contact info and payment details. Yikes.
What about the website?
If the app is off-limits, is the website safe to use? Sorry, but no. You’re still handing over (at a minimum) your full name, address, phone number, email and payment details. To make matters worse, Temu does not support two-factor authentication (2FA). That makes your account so much easier for thieves to breach. No Bueno!
The more permissions an app requests
… the more you should consider whether it’s worth having on your smartphone. Don’t see the big deal? Think about all you do on your phone: Have private conversations with friends, log into your bank app, type in passwords, enter your credit card info and more.
Keep these security smarts in mind before you hit “install” on Temu:
How security pros use TikTok without handing over personal data to China
I’ve been saying it for months: Get TikTok off your phone.
It’s not the only China-based app you need to worry about. Temu, the app that lets you “shop like a billionaire,” isn’t worth the deals. Here’s why — and what to do if you’ve been using it.
💸 Amazon’s new budget battleground: Say hello to Amazon Haul, their latest venture geared toward selling ultra-cheap items (think under $20). Why? Because Shein and Temu are mopping the floor with Amazon. With Haul, expect to find items like $2 earrings, $10 blenders and, yes, even a $20 wedding dress. (Pro tip: Don’t walk down the aisle in that!) Don’t expect Prime’s speedy shipping, either; your order will take one or two weeks since it’s coming from China. Heads-up: You can only shop Amazon Haul through the Amazon app for now.
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
Chinese apps you should remove from your phone
Security is something you should never take for granted. You may be exposing yourself to hackers and scammers without even realizing it. Here are 10 things you do daily that put you in danger.
You’ve heard it many times from us: Get rid of TikTok and Temu. Now we’re adding even more to the list.
Get Temu, the popular shopping app, off your phone now
Seemingly overnight, everyone’s talking about Temu, an online shopping app full of deals that seem too good to be true. You’ll find $17 wireless earbuds, $1 “gold” necklaces and $23 wedding dresses.
No wonder Temu is the most popular shopping app in the U.S., behind only Amazon. But most of us know little about the app’s origins. Like these apps, it’s tied to China.
🧪 Deadly deals: Toxic substances have been found in cheap products from Shein and Temu at levels hundreds of times above what’s acceptable. Case in point: A pair of shoes on Shein contained phthalates at 229 times the legal limit. The chemicals make plastics more flexible but can cause infertility or worse. Not worth it, folks.
34.6% and 34.4%
U.S. shoppers who purchase at least one thing a month on Shein and Temu, respectively. The Chinese retailers have more American repeat shoppers than eBay and Etsy. Stay away, folks. The stuff is cheap, and you never know how much data they’re collecting.
Get Temu off your phone now
TikTok isn’t the only Chinese app to worry about. A shopping app, downloaded by millions of Americans, uses sneaky tactics to monitor users. We spoke with Titan Crawford, founder of the Facebook group PDX Stolen Cars, which has helped recover over 3,000 stolen cars in Portland.
2.6M fewer Amazon shoppers
Are active each month compared to two years ago. During that same stretch, the Chinese-owned shopping site Temu has grown to 54 million active users. Maybe that’s why Amazon’s pulling out all the stops for its Big Spring Sale. (FYI, I won’t use Temu. Here’s why.)
Stay away from Temu and Pinduoduo
Holiday shopping’s heating up and everyone’s hunting for bargains. But beware — some deals aren’t as great as they look.
Why Temu and Shein are dangerous
Give up your data for low prices? I tell you why that’s not worth in, in 60 seconds.
Get this Chinese app out of your smartphone right now
It’s no secret: TikTok gathers a ton of data on its users and sends the information straight back to the Chinese government. The app is a threat to your privacy and security even if you don’t have it installed. Here’s how to avoid TikTok’s clutches.
Temu shocker for shoppers
Americans flock to download Temu, a China-based shopping app. In a one-minute podcast, I’ll explain why you must delete it ASAP.
These Chinese-owned apps are dangerous — Get them off your phone
TikTok has been facing significant backlash worldwide for collecting data on its users. It’s already been banned from government and military devices in the U.S., and there’s been a push for its Chinese owners to sell their shares in the company. Here’s what’s happening so far.
Facebook's $12/mo, Uber $10/mo just to use apps & Jeff Bezos favorite breakfast (it's super strange!)
Plus, I speak with a guy who 3D printed a QR code for his Dad’s grave, tell you why Temu is not the best, and give steps to start your own resale biz online. And you’ll learn how to get rid of an old computer the right way.
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