Shopping app "Temu" Dominates 2023 Apple Charts, Sparking Concerns
The shopping app "Temu: Shop like a billionaire" has taken the title of the most downloaded free iPhone app in 2023, as announced by Apple on December 12. However, this success has not been without controversy.
Consumer advisory groups and data privacy advocates have raised concerns about the app, warning users of potential low product quality and safety, as well as data protection issues. Michael Littger, Managing Director of Deutschland sicher im Netz e.V., recently pointed out these concerns in an interview with "rbb24.de", expressing concerns about the app's data-hungry nature.
Temu, Google's official app, and WhatsApp follow closely behind this year's front runner in the app charts. Other popular apps like Instagram, Google Maps, PayPal, and Spotify fill out the top ten.
This popularity might influence iPhone users to use the "Blitzer.de Pro" app to bypass speed cameras, as they did in the previous year.
In the rankings of paid iPhone apps, "Blitzer.de Pro" has retained its number one position, followed by "Threema" and "Oje, ich wachse!". The free games ranking has seen "Monopoly Go!" secure the top spot, with "Royal Match" and last year's winner "Subway Surfers" trailing behind.
Enrichment Insights
Despite its popularity, Temu has been criticized for several issues, including:
- Product Safety and Compliance: Allegations of selling illegal and counterfeit products, breaches of EU product safety and digital services laws, and a lack of trader traceability have been made against Temu. The European Consumer Organisation has launched a complaint against the platform due to these issues.
- Data Privacy: Concerns about data collection, misuse, and malware have been raised, as well as a lack of transparency in data handling practices. The alleged presence of malware that could read private text messages led to the temporary removal of Temu's sister app, Pinduoduo, from the Google Play store.
- Forced Labor and Intellectual Property: Allegations of facilitating goods made with Uyghur forced labor, not adhering to the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA), enabling the sale of counterfeit products, and not having a system to ensure compliance with these laws have been leveled against Temu.
- Addictive Design and Consumer Protection: Dark patterns, addictive design, anti-competitive practices, and targeting vulnerable populations like children and low-income families have been criticisms aimed at Temu.
It's essential for Temu to address these concerns to ensure a safer and more transparent shopping experience for its users.
