What is Temu? Could it take my details?

Move over AliExpress and Wish, Temu has taken over social media, but is it really all it’s cracked up to be?

Temu referral advertisement on social media. Picture: Supplied

Temu has rapidly infiltrated social media feeds in recent months with targeted adverts offering cheap household items like clothing, towels and T-shirts.

The app has almost 15 million downloads, yet there is still a lot of apprehension mostly around data security risks and consumer privacy.

Based in the United States, with the head office in Massachusetts, Temu operates similar to eBay in which customers can purchase items sold from a third party seller on the website. Unlike eBay, which sells products closer to market rate, products sold on Temu are usually offered at wholesale pricing to entice return buyers.

When the question was asked in the North Lakes Community Facebook group earlier this week as to whether Temu was a good site from which to order, the reactions were mixed.

The Temu logo on the Apple App Store. Picture: Supplied

Marcia Patten believes the quality of items is “not good.”

“Be aware some items appear larger than they are. I used the company once will not use them again,” she said.

Tania Von Dohren echoed some of Ms Pattens concerns but said “you definitely get what you pay for.”

“I ordered clear stamps. They were good. I ordered silicone spatula/spoons … they were very small. I ordered a silicone Swiss roll tray and it is useless. Minimum spend is $30 and shipping is free on most things. Shipping was fast. Win some, lose some,” she said.

We’ve set out to answer some of the most asked questions about the Temu platform.

Temu referral advertisement on social media. Picture: Supplied

Are my personal details safe on Temu?

For the most part, yes. Temu doesn’t directly sell any products, it only provides a marketplace in which third party sellers can sell their products.

Your name, street address and phone number will be shared with the seller you purchase directly from, similar to how eBay works.

Sellers may not be located in Australia, though, so when you do purchase on the Temu platform your shipping details could be stored outside of Australia.

What is Earn up to Aus$100 Lucky Flip?

The referral codes you see on social media are a reward program offered by Temu.

Customers have the ability to flip cards and get a virtual diamond if they make a successful referral which can convert into rewards such as discounts.

Technically they are legitimately part of Temu however if is worth checking with your friend first as to whether they were hacked or not.

Can you really live like a billionaire?

No. Not unless you’re actually a billionaire.

Yes, prices are cheaper for certain products than on other websites.

However, the website is set up in a way that rewards referrals and additional purchases so there’s a good chance you may end up purchasing more than you initially intended.