Temu, the fast-rising online marketplace popular among Nigerian shoppers for its budget-friendly deals, is under investigation by the European Commission over suspected breaches of digital safety laws, raising fresh concerns about product safety on the platform.
The Commission reveals that a recent mystery shopping exercise uncovers a high likelihood of non-compliant and potentially illegal products—particularly baby toys and small electronics—being sold on Temu. The preliminary probe suggests that the platform may be violating the Digital Services Act (DSA) by failing to properly identify and reduce risks posed to consumers.
“Evidence showed that there is a high risk for consumers in the EU to encounter illegal products on the platform,” the Commission warns.
The Commission criticises Temu’s October 2024 risk assessment as flawed, noting it relied on generic industry data rather than specific insights from its own operations—a move that likely undermines the platform’s ability to protect buyers from unsafe products.
Temu probe: Implications for Nigerian shoppers
Temu, which has seen rising patronage among cost-conscious Nigerian consumers, may also pose similar product safety risks beyond the EU. While the Commission’s probe is focused on Europe, the findings serve as a cautionary tale for Nigerian users who depend on Temu for access to affordable global goods.
The Commission criticises Temu’s October 2024 risk assessment as flawed, noting it relied on generic industry data rather than specific insights from its own operations—a move that likely undermines the platform’s ability to protect buyers from unsafe products.
“This may therefore have led to inadequate mitigation measures against the dissemination of illegal products,” the EU states.
EU demands higher standards
Henna Virkkunen, Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy, underscores the wider implications of Temu’s alleged lapses:
“We shop online because we trust that products sold in our Single Market are safe and comply with our rules. In our preliminary view, Temu is far from assessing risks for its users at the standards required by the Digital Services Act,” she says.
“Consumer safety online is not negotiable in the EU.”
The Commission reiterates that the DSA lays the groundwork for a safer and fairer digital marketplace, not just for Europeans, but also as a benchmark for international e-commerce platforms operating globally—including those used by Nigerian consumers.
What the Temu probe covers
The investigation, launched in October 2024, extends beyond product safety. It includes scrutiny of:
- The effectiveness of Temu’s risk mitigation strategies
- Alleged addictive design features on the app
- Lack of transparency in product recommendations
- Limited data access for researchers
Temu has received the preliminary findings and now has the opportunity to defend itself, access the investigation file, and submit a written response. Meanwhile, the European Board for Digital Services is being consulted for further action.
Temu: Why it matters for Nigerian shoppers
The EU probe places a global spotlight on online marketplace accountability, prompting Nigerian regulatory bodies and consumers alike to reflect on safety standards in cross-border e-commerce. With platforms like Temu expanding their footprint among Nigerian buyers, calls for stronger local oversight and digital product safety laws may become increasingly urgent.
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