Technology – Family Council

Temu Denies Allegations That It Engaged in Deceptive Trade

Sep 7, 2026Jerry CoxTechnologyBig Tech, Social Media

Owners of the online retailer Temu recently denied allegations that the company violated Arkansas’ Deceptive Trade Practices Act.

Temu is an online shopping platform similar to Amazon or Walmart.com. In 2023, Temu was reported to be the most widely downloaded app in the U.S., and its multibillion-dollar marketing campaign — which included a Super Bowl ad in 2024 — contributed to its success.

But Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin sued Temu in 2024, alleging Temu uses bargain pricing as a lure so the company can secretly harvest users’ private information.

The lawsuit alleges Temu’s phone app is able to access users’ precise locations as well as other installed apps, online accounts, microphones, and cameras. The platform can then funnel that sensitive information to computer servers that are subject to Chinese laws.

The A.G.’s lawsuit also alleges that the Temu app is able to bypass phone security systems, potentially granting Temu access to a user’s private messages.

The Arkansas Attorney General’s office says all of this is unconscionable under the Arkansas Deceptive Trade Practices Act, which carries a penalty of $10,000 per violation.

Temu’s attorneys previously asked the judge presiding over the case to dismiss the lawsuit, but the judge denied that request.

On August 28, Temu’s backers, Whaleco Inc. and PDD Holdings, filed responses in court denying Attorney General Griffin’s accusations.

Whaleco operates Temu and is a wholly owned indirect subsidiary of PDD Holdings.

The responses say that PDD Holdings is incorporated in the Cayman Islands. Its principal executive offices were previously located in Shanghai, China, but have been moved to Dublin, Ireland.

Whaleco says, “Temu has never shared any user data with the Chinese government,” and calls Arkansas’ lawsuit “baseless” and “unwarranted.”

Arkansas’ lawsuit against Temu is important because the arguments in the case are very similar to arguments in two separate lawsuits against TikTok — another popular internet platform owned by a Chinese company.

As we always say, tech companies are more than just phone apps and websites. These are multibillion-dollar businesses, and the people who operate them have a responsibility to protect the people who use their platforms.

We appreciate Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin’s office for continuing to pursue these court cases.

Articles appearing on this website are written with the aid of Family Council’s researchers and writers.

Chinese-Backed Temu has Until End of this Week to Respond to A.G. Griffin’s Deceptive Trade Allegations

Aug 25, 2026Jerry CoxTechnologyBig Tech, Social Media

Online retailer Temu has until the end of this week to respond to Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin’s consumer protection lawsuit in Cleburne County Court.

But the Chinese-based tech giant has drawn criticism from security and privacy experts who are concerned that Temu does not value users’ privacy or protect sensitive information.

Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin sued Temu in 2024, alleging Temu uses bargain pricing as a lure so the company can secretly harvest users’ private information. The lawsuit alleges Temu’s phone app is able to access users’ precise locations as well as other installed apps, online accounts, microphones, and cameras. The platform can then funnel that sensitive information to computer servers that are subject to Chinese laws.

The A.G.’s lawsuit also alleges that the Temu app is able to bypass phone security systems, potentially granting Temu access to a user’s private messages.

The Arkansas Attorney General’s office says all of this is unconscionable under the Arkansas Deceptive Trade Practices Act, which carries a penalty of $10,000 per violation.

Temu’s attorneys asked the judge presiding over the case to dismiss the lawsuit, but the judge presiding over the case denied that motion to dismiss and gave Temu’s attorneys until August 28 to respond to Attorney General’s lawsuit.

The attorney general’s lawsuit against Temu is important, because his arguments in the case are very similar to points the A.G.’s team has made in its separate lawsuits against TikTok — another widely popular internet platform owned by a Chinese company.

Family Council is not aware of any attorney general in America who is doing more to hold tech companies accountable than Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin.

We appreciate Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin’s office for continuing to pursue these cases so seriously in court.

Articles appearing on this website are written with the aid of Family Council’s researchers and writers.

Arkansas Judge Denies Temu’s Motion to Dismiss A.G. Griffin’s Lawsuit

Aug 5, 2026Jerry CoxTechnologyBig Tech, Social Media

An Arkansas judge recently denied a motion by Temu seeking to dismiss Attorney General Tim Griffin’s lawsuit against the online company. Attorneys representing Temu reportedly have until August 28 to respond to the A.G.’s allegations that Temu violated the Arkansas Deceptive Trade Practices Act.

But as a Chinese-based tech company, security and privacy experts have raised concerns about Temu.

Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin sued Temu in 2024, alleging Temu uses bargain pricing as a lure so the company can secretly harvest users’ private information — including precise location, installed apps, online accounts, microphones, and cameras — and then funnel that sensitive information to servers subject to Chinese laws.

The A.G.’s team has also alleged that the Temu app is able to bypass phone security systems, potentially granting Temu access to a user’s private messages.

The Arkansas Attorney General’s office says all of this is unconscionable under the Arkansas Deceptive Trade Practices Act, which carries a penalty of $10,000 per violation.

In response, Temu’s attorneys asked the judge presiding over the case to dismiss the A.G.’s lawsuit. On July 15, Judge Meyer in Little Rock denied that motion to dismiss.

The judge’s order notes that the Attorney General has made specific, factual allegations that Temu’s app is intentionally designed to hide its data collection and that Temu has unjustly enriched itself at the expense of Arkansans.

The judge’s order does not mean Attorney General’s team will win the lawsuit, but it does mean their case is clear to proceed. In a separate order, the judge agreed to give Temu’s attorneys until August 28 to respond to the A.G.’s allegations.

It’s worth pointing out the A.G.’s allegations against Temu are very similar to points the A.G.’s office has made in its lawsuits against TikTok — another widely popular internet platform owned by a Chinese company.

Family Council is not aware of any attorney general in America who is doing more to hold tech companies accountable than Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin.

As we always say, tech companies are more than just phone apps and websites. These are multibillion-dollar businesses, and the people who operate them must be held accountable to be sure they do not harm their users.

We appreciate Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin’s office for continuing to pursue these cases so seriously in court.

Articles appearing on this website are written with the aid of Family Council’s researchers and writers.