Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway has sued PDD Holdings’ e-commerce platform, Temu, alleging deceptive business practices and aggressive, unauthorized data collection. The lawsuit claims the app is designed to function as spyware, covertly collecting extensive personal data, including users’ real-time location, and accessing device cameras and microphones without consent.
The suit also alleges that Temu misleads consumers about prices, makes false claims about product quality, and uses code from a previous app that was banned from app stores over malware concerns. It accuses Temu of targeting minors with manipulative, game-like features and failing to verify users’ ages.
Missouri is seeking a permanent injunction to stop the alleged practices and civil penalties.