Tech

Nigeria opens probe into Temu

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Temu handles the personal data of about 12.7 million Nigerians and around 70 million daily users globally.
Temu Application As Trump Tariffs Target Loophole Used by Chinese Online Retailers Temu handles the personal data of about 12.7 million Nigerians and around 70 million daily users globally. (Raul Ariano/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Nigeria’s data watchdog has opened a probe into Chinese-owned e-commerce ‌giant Temu for suspected ⁠data-law violations, the regulator said ⁠on Tuesday, a move that could usher in legal penalties in one of Africa’s biggest markets.

Nigeria's data watchdog has opened a probe into Chinese-owned e-commerce ‌giant Temu for suspected ⁠data-law violations, the regulator said ⁠on Tuesday, a move that could usher in legal penalties in one of Africa's biggest markets.

The Nigeria ‌Data Protection Commission (NDPC) said concerns over Temu's data-processing practices - including online surveillance, opaque handling, cross-border ‌transfers and possible breaches of data-minimisation rules, triggered the investigation.

The move comes amid rising global scrutiny of Temu's rapid expansion.

NDPC chief Vincent ‌Olatunji ordered ⁠the probe and warned that processors could be held liable for any non-compliance.

The company did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment.

Last year, the agency fined Multichoice Nigeria, Africa's largest pay-TV operator, 766 million naira (R9 million) for breaching data-protection ⁠rules.

Temu handles the personal data of about 12.7 million Nigerians and around 70 million daily users globally, ⁠the NDPC said in a statement.

Temu, owned by Nasdaq-listed PDD Holdings, has expanded rapidly in Nigeria with an ⁠app-driven marketplace offering steep discounts on ‌fashion, electronics and ‌household goods.

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