Have you installed the Temu app on your iPhone? Then you better delete it, because Temu violates several privacy rules. You need to know this.
Temu violates privacy rules
Do you ever order something from Temu? In that case, according to experts, it is better to use a private window in Safari, because Temu’s application does not comply with European privacy rules. Radar has investigated Temu’s app (including for the iPhone) and came to the conclusion that your privacy is being infringed to an extreme extent. The application collects much more information than usual.
It is normal for apps to collect, share and process data from your iPhone. This data is used for advertising or other purposes. It now appears that the Temu app collects a lot of information from your iPhone. According to Radar, Temu not only has access to your iPhone’s camera, contacts and Wi-Fi network, but the company also wants the rights to unlock the device. And that’s not all according to Radar.
Read messages and take screenshots
When you install an application on your iPhone, you agree to the rights that this app requests from you. In the case of Temu, these are permissions that give access to important data on your iPhone. Radar has discovered that Temu has the rights to unlock your phone at night, without you being there. The application also has the right to record audio. This is not common with apps from web shops.
According to Radar, Temu goes even further, because the company also installs other software on your iPhone together with the app. With this software, Temu can read your messages and take screenshots. Temu has now responded to Radar’s claims and the company has indicated that it will not take screenshots. In addition, Temu says it does not share the collected data. So that means that Temu does indeed have access to the important data on your iPhone, including your messages.
Remove Temu from your iPhone
If you do leave Temu on your iPhone, you can limit the app’s permissions in the phone’s settings. There, go to the Temu app and turn off the switches under ‘Give Temu access’. This way you (partially) prevent Temu from collecting too much information from you. Do you want to be sure that your privacy is not violated by Temu? In that case, we recommend removing the Temu application from your iPhone (or iPad).
If you still want to make purchases from the online store, it is best to open an incognito window in Safari or another browser. There you do not have to agree to the terms of the app and you limit Temu’s rights on your device. Be careful, because make sure that you do not log in to Instagram or Facebook, for example, when ordering. Do you do this? Then Temu will have access to your account on these social media. It is expected that more European rules will be introduced in the future to prevent online stores such as Temu from violating your privacy. This is not the case for the time being, so pay close attention when ordering from Temu, for example.
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