House Intel Seeks Briefing on Temu's Ties to CCP

The House Intelligence Committee has requested a briefing from the FBI and SEC regarding the Chinese e-commerce company Temu and its parent company Pinduoduo, amid concerns over the exploitation of U.S. consumer data. Lawmakers, led by Chairman Mike Turner and Rep. Darin LaHood, expressed worries about the relationship between these companies and the Chinese Communist Party, particularly in light of national security laws that could jeopardize American data. They highlighted previous alarms raised by various entities about Temu's business practices, including allegations of forced labor and trade violations. In 2023, Google suspended the Pinduoduo app due to security vulnerabilities that allowed unauthorized access to user devices, raising further concerns about data protection. The lawmakers emphasized the need for a thorough understanding of the implications of the CCP's influence on American data privacy, drawing parallels to Congress's actions regarding TikTok. They are particularly interested in whether the FBI has shared intelligence with the SEC about Temu and Pinduoduo. The request for a briefing comes as state officials have reported disturbing practices related to data collection and labor violations. The House Intelligence Committee previously uncovered troubling information about Temu's compliance with U.S. laws against forced labor, particularly concerning Uyghurs. Temu admitted it lacked a policy to prevent the sale of goods from Xinjiang, where human rights abuses are ongoing. The lawmakers' demand for information aims to ensure proper oversight of potential threats posed by the CCP and to protect American consumers from risks associated with foreign ownership of companies operating in the U.S. market.