Fashion

Why you absolutely should not install the popular Temu app on your phone

By Tessa Heinhuis | #!31Thu, 11 Jan 2024 11:45:51 +0100+01:005131#31Thu, 11 Jan 2024 11:45:51 +0100+01:00-11Europe/Amsterdam3131Europe/Amsterdam202431 11am31am-31Thu, 11 Jan 2024 11:45:51 +0100+01:0011Europe/Amsterdam3131Europe/Amsterdam2024312024Thu, 11 Jan 2024 11:45:51 +01004511451amThursday=9#!31Thu, 11 Jan 2024 11:45:51 +0100+01:00Europe/Amsterdam1#01-11-2024#!31Thu, 11 Jan 2024 11:45:51 +0100+01:005131#/31Thu, 11 Jan 2024 11:45:51 +0100+01:00-11Europe/Amsterdam3131Europe/Amsterdam202431#!31Thu, 11 Jan 2024 11:45:51 +0100+01:00Europe/Amsterdam1#

I'm practically bombarded with it: I scroll a bit and all I see are ads from the Chinese webshop Temu. What is it? Why would I want to buy something there?

One of the nicer things in life is sometimes cleaning up all your junk. I sold a box of old clothes on Vinted, donated blankets, pillows, and children's clothing to charity, and made someone happy via Marktplaats with my old stroller. Decluttering. Less is more. So I don't want to shop again. I genuinely don't need anything right now. But that Temu keeps stalking me: a nice black shopper for 2 euros? A baby snowsuit for 1.7 euros? But 4 euros for a cool glitter blouse that calls my name? No, no... I don't want it.

And do you know why not? You should not install the Temu app on your phone. It seems that the company installs malware (a virus) on your phone when you download the app. With that, Temu knows pretty much everything about you and can target you with even more junk that you don't need but find pretty. The app also promises you free stuff. Temu is known among many young people as a place for free items, but the Consumers' Association warns against such apps.

You pay with yourself
Temu is a sister company of the app Pinduoduo, which was removed from the app store at the end of March. “The app extracted data from your phone that you as a user did not consent to,” said a tech expert from the NOS.

Rumor has it that they can even adjust your phone settings with the malware, and that data they collect from you? That's completely illegal, but it's sold to shady parties. Who knows what they do with it. They can access your photos, your WhatsApp conversations, your videos, your contacts... Your childhood photos might be used somewhere? Your name and photos and passport information might leak to who knows who? Terrifying. They can even unlock your phone.

The Dutch Data Protection Authority emphasizes that there are always risks associated with installing apps like Temu: “Especially when you give more personal data to an app than necessary. Is an app free? Then you are probably paying with your data.”

I stay far away from it: which is good because that attic is finally cleaned up. Sometimes not buying anything is even nicer – and safer – than wanting more and more in life.