Several controversies have recently emerged surrounding the Chinese e-commerce platform Temu, including allegations of illegally collecting user information, violating the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA), and having connections with the Chinese authorities. On Thursday (August 15), attorneys general from 21 U.S. states jointly sent a letter to Temu raising concerns and requesting responses regarding a series of issues.
Leading this action, Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen stated, “Temu’s business practices and apparent connections to the CCP are deeply concerning.” Knudsen emphasized his duty to protect the people of Montana from nefarious actors who may exploit sensitive consumer data and to hold accountable anyone who violates consumer protection laws. He expressed the expectation for Temu to ensure its business practices comply with Montana state law and do not involve sharing data with the Chinese Communist Party.
In a letter addressed to Temu’s co-founder Sun Qin and Temu’s parent company chairman Chen Lei (PDF), the attorneys general expressed their concerns regarding Temu’s business practices. The letter referenced alarming revelations by the U.S. House Select Committee on the CCP last year, suggesting that Temu may have failed to comply with U.S. laws prohibiting the use of forced labor from Xinjiang.
Over the years, the Chinese government has faced serious human rights abuse allegations in Xinjiang, with many human rights organizations and experts accusing them of implementing forced labor and ethnic genocide against local minority groups. Based on collected evidence, the committee determined (PDF) that Temu’s inadequate compliance system essentially ensured the “regular entry of goods involving forced labor into the United States through Temu, in violation of the UFLPA.”
Additionally, the attorneys general also pointed out that Temu’s actions may violate the Montana Consumer Data Privacy Act, which took effect on October 1. The letter highlighted concerns over Temu and Pinduoduo’s data collection practices, emphasizing worries that, like other companies under Chinese control, Temu might be required to collect Montana consumer data and transmit it to the CCP.
The attorneys general requested that within the next 30 days, Temu must clarify whether they have collected data on American consumers. If so, they must explain what data the company has collected, including consumer preferences, biometric data, political inclinations, health records, race, religion, or gender, along with the reasons for collecting the data, how it is stored, and how access by third parties to American consumer data is prevented. What data does the company retain when consumers deactivate their accounts?
The letter also demands answers from Temu regarding whether Chinese officials or affiliated enterprises have requested data on U.S. citizens collected by Temu, and if the company has provided any information to the CCP.
Multiple reports have indicated that Pinduoduo’s leadership team includes several former “Chinese officials.” The attorneys general raised concerns about whether these members have authority to access American consumer data held or acquired by Temu.
They further asked Temu to explain how they verify that products sold on their platform do not include those produced through forced labor.
Prior reports have suggested that Pinduoduo’s application contained malicious software and was removed from Google Play in 2023. The attorneys general seek an explanation from Temu on whether the company’s application was developed by the same developer, what measures they took to ensure the absence of malicious software for monitoring American users.
Attorneys general from Alabama, Alaska, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia also signed the letter.
Last month, Arkansas also filed a lawsuit against Temu. Attorney General Tim Griffin cautioned the public to be cautious when using the Temu application, labeling its true business as “data theft.” Griffin highlighted that Temu is not an online marketplace like Amazon or Walmart but an enterprise engaging in data theft through the sale of goods.
Griffin informed Fox Business Channel that Temu is using malicious and spyware to “access your phone and device, collect your data.”
Moreover, Temu faces suspicions of tariff evasion, environmental sustainability, among other concerns, which are currently attracting attention from various countries in Europe and North America.