Missouri attorney general sues Temu over alleged deceptive practices

JEFFERSON CITY — Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway has filed a lawsuit against popular e-commerce platform Temu, alleging the China-linked online retailer engages in deceptive business practices, unauthorized surveillance, and aggressive collection of personal consumer data.

The legal action claims Temu uses manipulative pricing, false statements regarding product quality, and hidden digital tools designed to exfiltrate personally identifiable information from users’ mobile devices without consent. According to state officials, the application can secretly track real-time location data, monitor installed software, and access camera and microphone functions.

State investigators allege that portions of Temu’s underlying source code contain features widely identified as spyware and malware, including code carried over from an earlier software version previously removed from major app stores over security concerns.

“My advice to all Missourians is to delete this app,” Hanaway said. “Temu lied to you, stole your data, packaged it up, and potentially delivered it to the CCP. Our office will continue to crack down on illegal operations that intentionally harm Missouri consumers through deception and unlawful business practices.”

The lawsuit highlights security concerns involving Temu’s corporate parent company, PDD Holdings, which maintains major operations in mainland China. Under Chinese national security laws, domestic companies are legally required to provide government authorities with unrestricted access to collected user data upon request, creating national security and consumer privacy risks for American shoppers.

The complaint also accuses the shopping platform of targeting minors through gamified features and child-focused advertising while failing to enforce age verification measures. State officials noted that the platform has allowed minors to view or purchase dangerous items, including drug paraphernalia and weapons.

In addition to consumer protection violations, the state alleges Temu regularly hosts unlicensed merchandise infringing on trademarks belonging to major Missouri brands and sports franchises, including the Kansas City Chiefs, St. Louis Cardinals, Kansas City Royals, St. Louis Blues, Anheuser-Busch, and the University of Missouri. The lawsuit also references federal congressional findings indicating high risks of forced labor within the company’s Chinese supply chain.

The attorney general’s office is seeking a permanent court injunction under the Missouri Merchandising Practices Act to halt the company’s alleged violations, alongside statutory civil penalties and financial restitution for affected state residents.