(Rightallegiance.com) – The House Intelligence Committee is raising alarms over Chinese e-commerce giant Temu and its parent company, Pinduoduo (PDD), due to concerns about potential exploitation of U.S. consumer data and national security risks.
The committee has formally requested a joint briefing from the FBI and the Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) to understand any possible intelligence about Temu and PDD’s links to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and their data handling practices.
Chairman Mike Turner (R-Ohio) and Rep. Darin LaHood (R-Ill.) led the call, stating that Temu and PDD are under U.S. scrutiny due to previous concerns raised by lawmakers, state attorneys general, and other officials regarding trade practices, forced labor, and data security. PDD is listed on the NASDAQ, which subjects it to oversight by the SEC. In 2023, Google suspended the PDD app after it exploited a vulnerability that allowed the company to secretly control user devices and steal data, intensifying concerns about data protection and security.
In their letter to FBI Director Christopher Wray and SEC Chairman Gary Gensler, the lawmakers stressed that “the relationship between the Chinese Communist Party, Chinese national security laws, and Americans’ data must be understood.” They fear the CCP may be using Temu and PDD as tools to collect sensitive information, echoing the concerns raised over the social media app TikTok.
The committee also wants clarity on whether any laws or policies hinder intelligence sharing between the FBI and the SEC regarding these issues. LaHood warned that Temu’s Chinese ownership has heightened risks to U.S. consumers, with the potential for sensitive data to be transferred to foreign adversaries. He emphasized the need for Congress to ensure proper oversight on these growing threats.
Additionally, state officials have voiced their concerns over Temu’s practices, especially its alleged use of forced labor. Last year, the House Intelligence Committee revealed disturbing information about Temu’s failure to comply with U.S. laws prohibiting forced labor by Uyghurs. Temu admitted it lacked policies to prevent the sale of goods from Xinjiang, a region where the CCP is accused of committing genocide against Uyghurs. Despite this, Temu claimed it is not subject to the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act.
I find Temu far too intrusive. Only bought from them once, after which I had money taken fraudulently from my account two months running. My bank replaced the money and issued a new credit card. There seem to be no contact details for Temu. I wanted to report the fraud. Because they are deliberately inaccessible, I refuse to make a second purchase.