Kentucky AG Files Lawsuit Against Temu
The Attorney General of Kentucky has initiated a lawsuit against the e-commerce platform Temu, asserting that the app facilitates illegal access to American users’ data by the Chinese government and misappropriates intellectual property from U.S. companies.
This legal action, which was lodged in Woodford County Circuit Court, seeks to impose restrictions on Temu, whose parent company is based in China. The attorney cited concerns about what has been termed “diverse” harm.
Investigators in Kentucky have reported “code-level behavior” from the Temu app, indicating it collects sensitive personal information in ways that violate state consumer protection laws, according to legal representatives.
Further claims in the complaint detail that the app improperly gathers users’ Wi-Fi, GPS, and camera data without necessary permissions. There’s also an allegation against Temu regarding the sale of products using stolen intellectual property from various Kentucky brands, including iconic names associated with the state’s horse racing scene.
“As of the date of this filing, Temu features numerous unlicensed products that they attribute to Kentucky brands like the University of Kentucky and Churchill Downs,” the complaint states.
Temu’s parent company, PDD Holdings, originally hails from China but has relocated to Ireland. Before Temu launched in the U.S. in 2022, PDD established Pinduoduo, a prominent online retailer in China.
The platform has become known for its steep discounts and vigorous marketing efforts, such as multiple high-budget animated commercials during last year’s Super Bowl. In fact, according to reports, it was the most downloaded free app on Apple in 2023.
Despite its catchy slogan suggesting a “billionaire-like shop,” Temu’s pricing model has recently been complicated by ongoing trade tensions between the U.S. and China.
Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman shared concerns that the company’s appealing prices and flashy promotions might obscure more serious issues. “Their platforms can infect Kentucky devices with malware, steal personal data, and send it straight to the Chinese government,” Coleman commented. He is a Republican and a former federal prosecutor. “Moreover, they risk undermining trust in some of Kentucky’s most cherished brands, which could result in job losses and economic challenges.”
This lawsuit reflects a broader scrutiny of Chinese-linked companies, particularly under Republican leadership. Last year, 20 GOP State Attorneys General sought information from Temu about allegations that Chinese suppliers employed forced labor. At that time, Temu had denied those claims.
Fox News Digital has reached out to Temu for a response regarding these allegations.
