Temu is one of the fastest-growing e-commerce platforms in recent years. Since launching in September 2022, it’s expanded to over 90 markets, including the EU, US, UK, and Australia, by cutting out middlemen and offering goods at hard-to-beat prices. As Temu’s user base grows, people naturally want to know: Does Temu keep my payment information safe? What data does it need to send me an order? Who can see my personal information? And how does all this compare to other platforms?
Here’s what independent reviewers found: In 2025, Which?, Surfshark, and Tenscope all analyzed Temu’s privacy practices against other major shopping apps. The result: Temu asks for fewer app permissions and collects fewer data types than most competitors. This FAQ explains what that means in practice.
What User Data Does Temu Collect, and Why?
Temu requires certain user information to operate as an e-commerce platform. Specifically, this information is needed for account creation and management, payment processing, order fulfillment, product delivery, customer support, returns and refunds, fraud prevention, and platform security. This reflects standard practice across the e-commerce industry.
Data is collected and used only when necessary for a specific, justified business purpose.
Information Used to Improve the Shopping Experience
Temu may use information about how users interact with the platform to improve search, product discovery, recommendations, platform performance, and the overall shopping experience.
How does Temu’s data collection compare with other e-commerce platforms?
Third-party reviews have compared Temu’s app permissions and privacy practices with those of other shopping apps. Some assessments suggest it collects less data than other major shopping apps.
- App permissions: A 2025 Which? The review reported that Temu requested 12 app permissions, the fewest among 20 shopping apps tested, while some apps requested as many as 91 permissions.
- Record audio and files on device: According to the same Which? review, Temu did not request permission to record audio or access files on the device, making it one of only three apps among the 20 tested that requested neither permission.
Source: Which.co.uk
- App privacy/data-type comparison: Surfshark’s 2025 analysis found Amazon collected 25 of 35 data types, while Temu collected 17, fewer than Amazon, Walmart, Costco, Whatnot, and Alibaba in that study.
- Tracking/invasiveness score: Tenscope ranked Temu with a low invasiveness score of 2/100, saying it collected no cross-app tracking data and used only minimal data in its review. Temu ranked 94th out of 100 shopping apps in terms of invasiveness, placing it among the least invasive apps in the analysis.
Source: Tenscope.com
How does Temu protect user data?
Temu uses multiple layers of security to help protect personal and payment information, covering data transmission, payment processing, vulnerability testing, and mobile app security review. The following sections explain how these safeguards work in practice.
- Encrypted transmission: Temu uses advanced security measures to protect personal information, including SSL technology to encrypt data during transmission.
- Secure payment processing: Payments on Temu are processed through links that meet Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard requirements. PCI DSS is a global security standard for companies that handle payment card information.
- Trusted payment providers: Temu works with trusted payment providers, including Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, Apple Pay, and Google Pay, all of which use advanced security technologies to help protect payment information.
- Vulnerability testing: Through a bug bounty program with HackerOne, Temu works to identify and address potential system vulnerabilities before they can be exploited.
- Ongoing security updates: Temu conducts regular security audits and updates to stay ahead of potential threats.
- Mobile app security review: The Temu app has been validated by DEKRA, one of the world’s leading independent testing agencies, under the Mobile Application Security Assessment (MASA) cybersecurity standards. MASA is an independent security check for mobile apps, used to assess whether an app follows basic security practices.
How long does Temu keep user data?
Temu generally keeps personal information only for as long as it is needed. This may include keeping data to provide the service, satisfying accounting or reporting requirements, handling legal claims, or preventing fraud.
Can users request deletion of the data?
Yes, users can request to delete certain personal information on the “Your Privacy Choices” page.
Where does Temu store user data?
US users’ data is stored on cloud-service infrastructure in the United States.
Photo By: Unsplash
