Iowa attorney general sues Temu, alleging consumer fraud and deceptive business practices - KGAN

Skip to main content Close Download the App Get your news faster with our mobile experience Install Now 90 ° Fri 86 ° Sat 88 ° Search Search User Icon Watch facebook icon twitter icon ACCESSIBILITY Iowa attorney general sues Temu, alleging consumer fraud and deceptive business practices by Iowa's News Now Thu, July 2, 2026 at 9:52 AM Iowa attorney general sues Temu, alleging consumer fraud and deceptive business practices (Photo Illustration by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) Share story Share topics: Iowa Temu Consumer fraud Deceptive advertising Data privacy Intellectual property Counterfeit Brenna Bird DES Moines, Iowa — Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird has filed a lawsuit against online marketplace Temu, alleging the company violated the Iowa Consumer Fraud Act through deceptive business practices, misleading advertising and data privacy concerns. The lawsuit, announced Wednesday, accuses Temu of misleading consumers about the quality and pricing of products sold on its platform while using deceptive tactics to collect customer information. According to the attorney general's office, the lawsuit also alleges Temu's data collection practices could expose Iowans' personal information to the Chinese government. The filing claims the company misrepresented product quality, engaged in misleading sign-up practices and used deceptive pricing. "Iowans are always searching for good deals and ways to save money," Bird said in a statement. "Temu says they are a way to 'shop like a billionaire' and get great value for little money, but the goods are substandard and not as advertised. Worse than that, they can siphon Iowans' information to the Chinese government." The lawsuit further alleges Temu failed to adequately protect intellectual property rights by allowing counterfeit or unauthorized merchandise, including products bearing University of Iowa trademarks and the trademarked IOWA Wave. Revenue from officially licensed IOWA Wave merchandise supports pediatric cancer and illness research at University of Iowa Health Care Stead Family Children's Hospital. Temu, an international e-commerce marketplace known for selling low-cost consumer goods, has grown rapidly in the United States through aggressive online advertising and discounted pricing. The attorney general's office is seeking a court order requiring Temu to stop the alleged unlawful practices, along with consumer restitution, civil penalties and other relief allowed under Iowa law. Comment with Bubbles Temu had not publicly responded to the lawsuit as of Wednesday. The allegations outlined in the lawsuit have not been proven in court. Trending Several Eastern Iowa beaches under swimming advisories ahead of July 4 weekend Holiday weekend beachgoers are being urged to check water quality conditions before heading to the lake, as the Iowa Department of Natural Resources has issued Man dead after crashing motorcycle in Waterloo A man is dead after crashing his motorcycle in Waterloo on Wednesday afternoon.Waterloo Police says the crash happened around 3:45 p.m. on Sergeant Road near Fr Kinnick Stadium transforms into baseball venue ahead of Savannah Bananas games The transformation of Kinnick Stadium into a baseball field is well underway as crews prepare to host the Savannah Bananas this week.Workers spent Tuesday inst U.S. soccer fans gather at Big Grove Brewery to watch Team USA advance Team USA’s run in the FIFA World Cup is drawing crowds of fans hoping to watch the Americans keep advancing, with some gathering at Big Grove in Iowa City on We NYT Poll: Ashley Hinson narrowly leads Josh Turek in Iowa's U.S. Senate race A new poll released Wednesday shows Republican Congresswoman Ashley Hinson leading Democratic state Rep. Josh Turek in Iowa's U.S. Senate race. NEWS IN PHOTOS: " Local " 5 Cedar Rapids police say child exploitation operation has led to 14 arrests this year 3 U.S. soccer fans gather at Big Grove Brewery to watch Team USA advance 4 Cedar Rapids Police Department helping people beat the heat with free ice cream 6 2-1 vote sets 18-month data center moratorium for unincorporated Linn County