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Temu in the App Store:
Photo: Jakub Porzycki / NurPhoto / IMAGO
Suspicion of greenwashing and dark patterns: The Federal Association of Consumer Organizations (vzbv) has warned the Chinese shopping platform Temu. The vzbv had previously identified several violations on the online marketplace with Chinese products. For example, Temu leaves consumers in the dark as to how the high discounts shown come about. In addition, the vzbv objects to the inadmissible use of manipulative designs.
“In Germany and the European Union there are laws to protect consumers that all companies must adhere to,” said vzbv board member Ramona Pop. "The Temu platform unsettles and takes advantage of them with seemingly arbitrary discounts, questionable reviews and manipulative designs. This has to stop." Customers must be protected from such business practices, Pop continues.
The consumer advocates also found that the Chinese company was greenwashing. This involves advertising with untrue climate or environmental protection promises. For example, Temu advertises that the CO₂ footprint is reduced if customers do not have their goods delivered to their home but to a pickup point near them. In reality, however, the products would have already traveled long distances before delivery. According to vzbv, many of the products offered on the platform come from China.
When ordering with the shopping app, there were also numerous indications of manipulative designs, so-called dark patterns, such as: “Hurry up! Over 126 people have this item in their shopping cart" and "More than 54 users have purchased repeatedly! Why not 2 at once…”. However, dark patterns have been banned in the EU since February 17, 2024.
Whaleco Technology Limited, which is behind the platform, has responded to the warning from vzbv. However, no cease and desist declaration was issued. The vzbv will next decide on a lawsuit against Temu.
With its slogan “Shop like billionaires,” Temu enjoys great popularity in this country despite the dubious advertising practices: According to the web analysis company Similarweb, Temu took first place in the ranking of the most downloaded shopping apps in Germany in 2023.
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