A new third-party analysis of popular shopping apps found that Temu ranks among the platforms collecting the least amount of user data, based on disclosures from Apple’s App Store.
The study, conducted by Tenscope, reviewed the 100 most downloaded shopping apps in the United States in November 2025 and assessed how much personal information each app collects.
Tenscope analyzed App Store privacy disclosures and assigned each app an “invasiveness score” ranging from 0, least invasive, to 100, most invasive. Temu received a score of 2, placing it among the top tier of shopping apps requiring minimal user data, according to the analysis.
Tenscope’s study listed 100 most invasive shopping apps in 2025; Temu received a score of 2, placing it within the top tier of apps requiring minimal user data.
Tenscope evaluated three categories of data collection: tracking data, third-party data, and first-party data. The firm reported that Temu does not collect cross-app tracking information and uses limited data for internal marketing purposes. Based on those criteria, Tenscope ranked Temu among the 10 least invasive shopping apps in its analysis, alongside platforms such as Shop (by Shopify) and Best Buy.
Separate UK research finds limited app permissions
The findings are consistent with research published in July 2025 by the UK consumer advocacy organization Which?. In its evaluation of 20 widely used Android apps across categories including shopping, social media, health, and smart home, Which? reported that Temu requested 12 permissions in total, which is the fewest. Other services reviewed in the study requested up to 91 permissions, including access to microphones and local files.
Why is Temu so cheap?
Temu is an online marketplace that connects customers directly with cost-efficient manufacturers, enabling access to competitively priced goods. By reducing the number of intermediaries in the supply chain and shipping directly from factories to consumers, the platform allows shoppers to benefit from near-wholesale pricing at the source.
Is it safe to shop on Temu?
Temu says it has implemented multiple safeguards to protect user data and transactions, including:
- MASA Certification: The Temu mobile app has received independent validation from Germany’s DEKRA, confirming that it meets the Mobile Application Security Assessment (MASA) cybersecurity standard.
- HackerOne Partnership: Temu works with the San Francisco–based cybersecurity platform HackerOne to identify and address vulnerabilities through a bug bounty program.
- Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Users can enable two-factor authentication, adding an extra layer of protection against unauthorized account access.
- Anti-Phishing Working Group (APWG) Membership: Temu participates in the global APWG coalition, which shares intelligence and strategies to combat phishing and online fraud.
- Payment security: The platform complies with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) and partners with major payment networks to ensure secure transactions across all payment methods.
Customer service and buyer protections
Temu was named to USA TODAY’s 2025 Best Customer Service list, an annual ranking recognizing companies that deliver strong customer support.
The company provides a Buyer Protection Program that guarantees full refunds for items that arrive damaged or do not match their descriptions. Refund requests can be submitted through Temu’s website or mobile app using its 24/7 customer service tools.
Customers may choose to receive refunds to their original payment method or as Temu credit, with credit refunds typically processed more quickly.
Temu also offers a Price Match Guarantee. Shoppers who find an identical item — same model, size, and color — at a lower price elsewhere can request a price-match refund within 30 days of purchase. Once verified, refunds are generally processed within two business days.
