Seoul, South Korea – Chinese e-commerce platform Temu has updated its privacy policy in South Korea, explicitly stating that users who refuse to consent to the transfer of their personal information will be unable to utilize the platform’s services. This announcement, made on February 21st, has ignited concerns regarding data privacy and user choice.
According to the updated policy, Temu outsources the processing of Korean users’ personal information to third-party companies both domestically and internationally to effectively provide services. The policy further clarifies that refusing to allow this transfer of personal data will result in the inability to access Temu’s services.
This marks a significant shift from Temu’s previous policy, which only required user consent for information related to cross-border remittances. The updated policy now encompasses a broader range of personal data, including personal customs clearance numbers, transaction amounts, addresses, phone numbers, SMS messages, device information, and even identification document details. In essence, using Temu’s services now necessitates agreeing to the outsourcing of a substantial portion of one’s personal information.
Furthermore, the policy reveals that the number of companies accessing user personal information has expanded to 27, located in South Korea, the United States, and other regions. This extensive network of data processors raises questions about the security and control of user data.
The implications of this policy update are far-reaching. While Temu maintains that data transfer is necessary for efficient service delivery, critics argue that it forces users into a corner, requiring them to sacrifice their data privacy for the convenience of using the platform. This raises concerns about the potential for data breaches, misuse, and the lack of transparency surrounding how user data is handled by these third-party companies.
The South Korean government and consumer protection agencies are likely to scrutinize Temu’s updated privacy policy to ensure compliance with local data protection laws. This situation highlights the growing tension between the convenience of cross-border e-commerce and the need to safeguard user data in an increasingly interconnected world. It remains to be seen how Temu will address these concerns and whether it will adjust its policy to better accommodate user privacy preferences.
Views: 0