It looks like the House Intelligence Committee is putting the heat on yet another Chinese Communist Party (CCP)-linked company, this time targeting the popular e-commerce platform Temu and its parent company, Pinduoduo (PDD). Following in the footsteps of Congress’ growing scrutiny of TikTok, lawmakers are now raising alarms about the national security risks posed by these companies and their potential exploitation of U.S. consumer data. A letter from House Intelligence Committee Chairman Mike Turner (R-Ohio) and Rep. Darin LaHood (R-Ill.) has been sent to FBI Director Christopher Wray and SEC Chairman Gary Gensler, demanding answers.
The concern? A familiar one: the relationship between the CCP, China’s national security laws, and the possibility that American data is being harvested and exploited by foreign adversaries. In the letter, the lawmakers express their worries about Temu’s practices, citing troubling issues like trade violations, forced labor, and—most critically—the risk to Americans’ personal information.
Temu’s parent company, PDD, is listed on the NASDAQ, making it subject to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) oversight, but that doesn’t seem to have calmed anyone’s nerves. In fact, these lawmakers are wondering whether the SEC and FBI are even talking to each other about the growing concerns surrounding Temu and PDD. They’re requesting a joint briefing to figure out whether there’s any intelligence being shared between the two agencies. And if not, why? Are there laws or policies preventing this kind of collaboration?
It’s worth noting that these aren’t just isolated concerns. Back in 2023, Google suspended the PDD app for exploiting a vulnerability that allowed it to secretly take control of users’ devices, steal personal data, and install malicious apps. That’s not exactly the kind of behavior that builds trust with American consumers—or lawmakers, for that matter.
Rep. LaHood didn’t mince words in his statement to Fox News Digital. He made it clear that Temu has not only been “abusing trade laws” but also poses a growing threat to American consumers. He warned that the CCP’s involvement could lead to sensitive U.S. data being handed over to foreign adversaries—something that should set off alarm bells for anyone who’s paying attention.
This isn’t just about consumer data either; forced labor practices are also at the forefront of concerns. In fact, the House Intelligence Committee revealed disturbing information last year about Temu’s refusal to comply with U.S. laws prohibiting the use of forced labor by Uyghurs. Temu openly admitted it didn’t have a policy to prohibit the sale of goods from Xinjiang, where the CCP’s genocide against Uyghurs is still ongoing. Even more troubling, they claimed they aren’t subject to the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act.
With states across the nation also raising concerns about Temu’s data collection practices, this issue is only gaining steam. The fact that every Republican member of the House Intelligence Committee signed the letter shows that this isn’t just a passing concern—it’s a growing national security threat that Congress is determined to address.
Temu Allegedly Breached 87M Records for Sale on Dark Web
According to the sample, the breach contains sensitive personal information such as names, email addresses, home addresses and telephone numbers of individuals from various nationalities.https://t.co/CnZ1v1Jxhx… pic.twitter.com/mHP8iSfwYm
— Dark Web Intelligence (@DailyDarkWeb) September 17, 2024
LaHood emphasized the importance of this issue, stating that with Temu listed on the NASDAQ, it’s critical for federal agencies like the FBI and SEC to brief Congress on what they know. After all, if these companies are operating with little to no oversight while potentially compromising American data, it’s time for some serious accountability.
The takeaway here? Congress sees Temu as more than just another online shopping app. This is about the bigger picture: the CCP’s ongoing efforts to exploit U.S. markets, harvest sensitive data and undermine national security. If TikTok taught us anything, it’s that these companies won’t stop until they’re called out and held accountable. Looks like Temu might be next in line.
