TEMU

Sept. 8 (UPI) — Whaleco Inc., operating as Temu, has been ordered by a federal court to pay a $2 million civil fine for violating federal law regarding its online marketplace, the U.S. Department of Justice said Monday.

The private U.S.-registered company, which mainly sells products from China, had the most downloaded app in the United States in 2024, according to Business of Apps. The company also sells products to customers in 90 countries.

DOJ and the Federal Trade Commission filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court of Massachusetts alleging Temu didn’t sufficiently disclose certain information for high-volume third-party sellers, including addresses, or provide consistent reporting methods as required by law. This included consumers’ ability to electronically and telephonically report suspicious activity to the marketplace.

The agencies said they violated the INFORM Consumers Act.

“The Justice Department is committed to ensuring American consumers have information about third-party sellers online and mechanisms to report suspicious marketplace behavior,” Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate of DOJ’s Civil Division said in a statement. “The Department will continue to ensure that online marketplaces follow the INFORM Consumers Act.”

Temu also was ordered to ensure compliance with the INFORM Consumers Act in the future.

Temu, which means “Team Up, Price Down,” was founded as Whaleco Inc. in Boston in 2022.

It is a subsidiary of PDD Holdings, a Chinese online retailer owned by Colin Huang. PDD Holdings also owns Pinduoduo, an online commerce platform in China.

In July, the European Commission charged Temu with breaking the EU’s Digital Services Act by failing to prevent the sale of usnafe products that violate its standards.

In an analysis, the European Commission found that shopping on Temu carries a high risk of finding unsafe products, such as small toys and small electronics.

In the EU, companies can be fined up to 6% of their annual total worldwide turnover.

Temu, with an estimated annual revenue of $53.9 billion in 2024, competes with Amazon, the No. 1 online retailer in the world with $391.4 billion in revenue last year.

“Temu is committed to bringing affordable products onto its platform to enable consumers and merchandise partners to fulfill their dreams in an inclusive environment,” the company said on its website.

Temu and another online retailer, Shein, have been hit by tariffs imposed on imports into the United States.

“Due to recent changes in global trade rules and tariffs, our operating expenses have gone up. To keep offering the products you love without compromising on quality, we will be making price adjustment starting April 25, 2025,” Temu said in a statement to U.S. shoppers.

That was in late April when there was a 145% duty on Chinese imports. The Trump administration has since lowered them temporarily to 10%. The pause is until Nov. 10.

A 75-YEAR-OLD model who’s never had Botox has revealed the £2 Temu buy she swears by to stay looking young.

Penelope Tree first made a name for herself in the 1960s, and has enjoyed a resurgence of success in recent years – walking the runway for Fendi and Richard Quinn and appearing in a star-studded ad campaign to mark Zara’s 50th anniversary.

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And while she used to be “obsessed” with her appearance when she was younger, she’s now “more interested in what’s going on” around her.

She’s also “not trying to prove anything” by undergoing cosmetic procedures to maintain a flawless facade.

“You just have to accept the inevitability of ageing. I don’t really see what’s wrong with it!” she told the MailOnline.

“And I don’t like hospitals or the idea of being fiddled with in a surgical way.

“Also, repeated plastic surgery does tend to make people look like replicants (bioengineered humanoids).”

Instead, she prefers a more natural way of reducing the look of her wrinkles – anti-ageing face tapes.

The adhesive tapes have threads attached, which can be pulled and secured discreetly around the head to make the face look more taut.

And they won’t set you back anywhere near as much as Botox either, as you can pick them up for just £2 on Temu.

Other celebrities who use the tapes include Joan Collins and Bella Hadid.

She’s also a big fan of Charlotte Tilbury’s Magic Cream and Trinny London’s The Elevator cream.

“In my 20s my currency was my beauty,” Penelope continued.

“Now my currency is being alive, interested and curious.

“I just leave it to the hairdressers and the make-up artists to make me look as good as I can, which isn’t easy!”

As for her fashion sense, Penelope loves “statement jewellery”, which said makes older people “look fabulous”.

And she loves shopping at the “affordable and fabulous” Zara.

“I wear an orange Zara suit every summer and it’s the most complimented outfit I’ve ever worn in my life!” she admitted.

How is celery juice an anti-ageing potion?

Celery juice is packed with antioxidants like vitamin C and flavonoids, which combat free radicals that cause cellular damage and aging.

Its high water content keeps your skin hydrated and plump, reducing the appearance of wrinkles.

The anti-inflammatory compounds in celery, such as apigenin and luteolin, help reduce chronic inflammation linked to ageing.

Rich in essential nutrients like vitamin K and potassium, celery juice supports overall skin health and body functions.

Drinking celery juice regularly can complement a balanced diet and skincare routine, promoting a youthful glow from within.

But while she’s happy to save money on the majority of her wardrobe, there’s one thing she’ll always splash out on – and that’s denim.

“If there’s one thing I have learnt as I have aged, it’s to spend money on jeans,” she said, adding that she’s had the same pair for three years and insisting they’re “good as new”.