Temu shoppers warned over ‘too good to be true’ offer that gives away £50 in exchange for sign-ups amid ‘cloning’ fears

CHINESE mega-store Temu is offering users ‘free money’ in exchange for new sign-ups, but there are concerns that it’s a ploy to harvest people’s personal information.

Language in the terms and conditions (T&Cs) of the promotion have also sparked fears that people signing away their “likeness” will be recreated into deepfake clones without their permission.

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The promotion offers a combination of cash and store credit for up to £100 in exchange for getting new members to join up.

The T&Cs state that those taking part in the ‘Cash Reward’ deal must give up swathes of personal information to do so.

This includes granting Temu the permission to use their “photo, name likeness, voice, opinions, statements, biographical information, and/or hometown and state” worldwide.

You have to stop and ask yourself ‘why is my data so valuable to them?’ and really consider if the deal is worth it in the long-run

Adrianus Warmenhoven, cybersecurity expert at NordVPN

It comes just days after the UK identified China as the source of a wide-scale attack on the Electoral Commission, where hackers accessed 40million voters’ personal details.

It has left social media users divided, with some actively advertising the deal so they reap the cash reward, and others concerned it is too good to be true.

Cybersecurity experts have sided with the latter.

‘Alarm bells’

“Online shoppers hoping to make a quick buck from Temu’s free money scheme should think twice before handing over their personal information,” Adrianus Warmenhoven, cybersecurity expert at NordVPN, told Then Sun.

“The scheme bears all the red flags of a phishing scam, luring consumers with a dubious link promising a £50 PayPal credit.

“But while such offers typically ring alarm bells, reports indicate some individuals have reaped substantial sums.”

The offer may appear to be genuine – with many social media users posting screenshots of Temu money landing back in their accounts.

Warmenhoven warned that signing away personal data without understanding the purpose can carry “grave risks” for consumers.

“Be it falling victim to cybercrime or identity theft,” he explained.

‘Hell bent on making profits’

At the end of the day, it’s £50 store credit – not money – so it is essentially “a win-win for Temu, further underscoring the need for caution,” Warmenhoven added.

“You have to stop and ask yourself ‘why is my data so valuable to them?’ and really consider if the deal is worth it in the long-run,” he said.

“Temu is well-known for its ‘spin the wheel’ style offers when you first open the app, but remember that the company isn’t a charity.

“It is hell bent on making profits and will use your data to its full advantage.”

Temu’s privacy policy, which governs the giveaway, states that any personal information obtained can be shared with third parties, which may include advertising platforms and Temu sellers.

SecureTeam spokesperson

A cybersecurity expert speaking on behalf of SecureTeam also dubbed the offer “risky and should probably be avoided”. 

Experts are concerned that there is too much room for personal information to be misused, or used in a way consumers have no control over once they agree to the T&Cs.

This could include the selling of such data to advertisers.

“Users may unwittingly expose themselves to identity theft or even fraud if their information is passed on to third parties without their consent,” SecureTeam warned.

“Temu’s privacy policy, which governs the giveaway, states that any personal information obtained can be shared with third parties, which may include advertising platforms and Temu sellers.”

The recent government cyberattacks, which the UK has attributed to state-backed actors in China, should also not be ignored, says SecureTeam.

They add: “Temu’s parent company, PDD Holdings, operates in China through subsidiaries and is subject to Chinese law, raising questions about potential security risks.”

However, Temu has denied selling its user’s information, and says the terms and conditions of its offer are standard practice.

A spokesperson said: “Temu gathers user information solely for the purpose of delivering our service and to enhance customer experience. We do not sell user information.

“The terms and conditions highlighted are commonplace in similar promotions held by various companies across different sectors.”

This post first appeared on Thesun.co.uk