Concerns have been raised by legal and consumer experts regarding a cash giveaway promotion by the online marketplace Temu, which has been described as “Amazon on steroids.” This promotion, which has attracted significant attention on social media, asks participants to provide a wide range of personal information in exchange for a reward of up to £50. Temu, amidst accusations involving products made with forced labour and potential data exploitation, has defended its practices by noting the commonality of such giveaways in the e-commerce industry, citing similar promotions by companies including Shein.

The promotion’s terms and conditions, particularly the extensive data collection and global usage rights required from participants, have sparked debate over issues of privacy and consent. There is growing apprehension over the proportionality and lawfulness of Temu’s data processing activities, with legal professionals pointing out possible violations of UK data protection rules.

Experts are cautioning consumers about the implications of trading sensitive data, such as voice and biographical information, for financial benefits. The ongoing debate highlights concerns regarding the true cost of the data consumers are asked to provide, with some participants labelling the giveaway as a scam due to its extensive data collection requirements.

The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) is currently reviewing the situation, emphasizing the necessity for transparency and informed consent in data collection practices. Amid discussions on data sovereignty and the rise in consumer awareness about privacy issues, the ICO’s involvement underscores the critical need for clear and lawful data sharing practices in promotions such as Temu’s cash giveaway.