Temu Data Breach Controversy: What You Need to Know and How to Stay Safe

Why you need extra protection for online shopping

Even if your favorite e-commerce platform claims to be top-notch and secure, threats can come from many angles, like phishing, third-party trackers or repurposed data from old breaches. That’s where a virtual private network (VPN) app like VeePN can make a big difference. Here’s how VeePN helps:

• Encrypts your data, prevents interception during online transactions
• Masks your IP address to reduce tracking and location-based targeting
• Blocks malicious websites and protects against phishing attempts
• Allows anonymous browsing and secure access to e-commerce platforms from anywhere

Let’s get into the Temu situation and see what you need to know.

What triggered the Temu hack controversy?

The Temu app has become a household name in the e-commerce world due to its aggressive marketing and vast product selection at competitive prices. As a Chinese-owned e-commerce platform, Temu has millions of users worldwide, but its rapid growth has also brought scrutiny to its data privacy practices and operating processes.

In early 2025, a hacker using the alias “smokinthashit” posted on BreachForums, a notorious underground marketplace, claiming to have leaked data after the Temu security breach. The hacker allegedly got access to a database of 87 million users, including:

• Usernames and user IDs
• IP addresses and device data
• Full names and birthdates
• Shipping addresses and phone numbers
• Hashed passwords

The hacker shared sample data to prove the claim, and the whole Internet just exploded.

Temu’s official response

Temu’s security team launched an investigation into the alleged breach and denied any wrongdoing, saying not a single line of the data mentioned in the breach claims matches their transaction records. Temu claims their systems are secure and the accusations are part of a misinformation campaign.

According to the company, their security team investigated the claims and found no evidence that their systems were breached. Temu says that:

• The exposed data doesn’t match their internal records
• This is likely old breach data being repurposed
• The breach claim is a misinformation campaign aimed at discrediting Temu. 

Despite this, concerns persist as privacy experts and watchdogs continue to analyze the app’s compliance with privacy laws and impact on user devices.

Why it matters even if the breach is unconfirmed

Even if the Temu data theft is unverified or disproven, the risks are very real:

• Data repurposing: Hackers often repackage old breach data as new. Even if you weren’t affected by this specific breach, your old info may still be out there on the dark web.
• Reputation damage: News of a potential breach has eroded user trust and deters new customers.
• Temu is a high-value target: With over 167 million active users, Temu is a big prize for cybercriminals.

To the users, the dangers posed by the Temu application are reminders that we should be conscious and take charge of our privacy. This implies being wary of what personal information we send and checking data privacy settings, preferably on a regular basis, and keeping an eye on accounts in case of suspicious activity. Such activities, as well as data breaches, can be avoided by using strong passwords and taking into consideration the extra security tools.

In short, although Temu states that they did not experience a data breach and that their platform is safe, the controversy makes it clear that you should be careful. The risks of shopping on Temu and other online stores can be overcome by learning the processes of the app and taking precautionary measures to protect your data.

What does Temu collect?

Privacy experts say Temu’s selling data goes far beyond what most users expect from a shopping app. There have been reports that upon installation, the app can access almost every part of a user’s device, including sensitive data privacy settings. Claims about Temu stealing information, with some saying the app is loaded with tools to execute malware and spyware. This has raised fears of data breaches and privacy violations, with users wondering how their data is being handled.

From what we know, Temu collects a lot of user data, including:

• Personal info: name, email, phone number
• Location and device identifiers
• Purchase history and payment info
• Behavioral data from app and website usage

So, what can users do in case of a breach?

What to do to stay safe, regardless of breach validity?

Whether the breach is real or not, do this:

• Use strong, unique passwords: Don’t reuse the same password across different platforms.
• Enable two-factor authentication (2FA): Add an extra layer of login protection.
• Watch for phishing emails: Scammers may impersonate the Temu support team to trick you into clicking malicious links.
• Update your credentials: If you used similar credentials on other platforms, change them immediately
• Limit shared data: Only provide personal info that is really necessary when shopping online
• Use a reliable VPN such as VeePN: A premium VPN can protect your personal information and hide your online activity from prying eyes. 

🫴See also: Is Temu Safe?

The value of being proactive: How VeePN keeps you safe

To protect your personal info against Temu data leaks and beyond, VeePN offers:

• End-to-end encryption: Shields your data from interception on public and home networks. 
• IP masking: Prevents platforms and cybercriminals from tracking your real location
• Anti-tracking tools: Stops e-commerce platforms from profiling you based on your activity
• Secure browsing: Blocks malicious sites and phishing links in real time

VeePN protects you whether you’re shopping, banking or just browsing online. Get VeePN today and secure up to 10 devices at once!

Written by VeePN Research Lab VeePN Research Lab is dedicated to provide you latest posts about internet security and privacy.

Knowledge is power,
VeePN is freedom

Get VeePN Now