Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes has filed a sweeping lawsuit against Temu, accusing the Chinese-owned online shopping platform of illegally harvesting user data, deceiving consumers, and counterfeiting iconic Arizona brands. The complaint, filed in Maricopa County Superior Court, alleges extensive violations of the Arizona Consumer Fraud Act and claims the popular app poses “extreme risk” to Arizonans’ privacy.
“Behind Temu’s low prices and shiny advertising, there is real danger,” Mayes said in announcing the lawsuit. “The Temu app can infect users’ devices with malware to steal their private data while carefully hiding its tracks.”
According to the state’s complaint, Temu secretly collects sensitive personal information far beyond what is required for a retail platform. The Attorney General alleges the app infiltrates smartphones to access precise location data, microphones, cameras, and even activity on other installed applications—without users’ knowledge or consent. A review of the app’s source code reportedly revealed multiple layers of encryption intended to avoid security scrutiny and the ability to modify its own code after installation, raising concerns about potential device control or data exploitation.
The lawsuit also cites the company’s ownership structure as an added risk, noting that Temu is subject to Chinese laws requiring covert cooperation with the Chinese Communist Party’s intelligence operations.
Beyond data privacy allegations, the Attorney General claims Temu engages in widespread deceptive business practices. These include faking reviews, charging for undelivered goods, selling products that differ significantly from advertised images, and misappropriating intellectual property from U.S. companies such as the Arizona Cardinals, Fender Guitars, and major Arizona universities. The complaint further accuses Temu of using forced labor in violation of U.S. trade laws.
“I will not stand by while a Chinese company vacuums up reams of sensitive data from Arizonans’ phones and profits from deception and abuse,” Mayes said.
The Attorney General is seeking to stop Temu’s alleged practices and hold the company accountable under state law. Consumers who believe they have been affected are encouraged to file complaints through the AG’s website or office hotlines.
Need Help?
If you have questions or concerns about any global guidelines, regulations and laws, don’t hesitate to reach out to BABL AI. Their Audit Experts can offer valuable insight, and ensure you’re informed and compliant.
