Suche
Mein Konto
Consumer advocates warn Chinese online retailer Temu
Consumer advice center is considering legal action against Temu for violations: Chinese online retailer defends itself against allegations. Clear assessments and background information here.
Consumer advocates warn Chinese online retailer Temu
The consumer advice center is considering legal action against the Chinese online marketplace Temu due to several violations that the company is said to have committed. The Federal Association of Consumer Organizations (vzbv) in Berlin has already warned Temu and sees the company as having a duty to protect consumers from questionable business practices. Whaleco Technology Limited's platform responded to the warning, but no cease-and-desist notice was issued. The consumer advice center is now examining the possibility of filing a lawsuit against Temu.
Temu defends itself against the allegations, emphasizing that their practices are fair and that they strive to improve transparency and adapt the platform to local preferences. The consumer advice center criticizes, among other things, the fact that Temu leaves consumers in the dark about how the high discounts are achieved. The platform also promotes environmentally friendly delivery options, even though the goods ordered have already traveled long distances.
The vzbv also complains that Temu puts consumers under pressure during the ordering process and uses manipulative designs, so-called dark patterns. The platform does not provide sufficient information about whether product reviews are genuine and does not provide any information about the identity of the product providers. Temu defends itself against these accusations and emphasizes that they are transparent about inventory levels and purchase updates to enable consumers to make informed decisions.
Temu caused a stir with discount offers of up to 90 percent and quickly established itself on the German market. Trade experts and associations are calling for stricter action against Chinese low-cost marketplaces like Temu. In February, European toymakers complained about the safety of products offered on the platform and called for stricter controls. In 2023, Temu was the most downloaded of all shopping apps in Germany, data from Similarweb shows.