The Office of Competition and Consumer Protection initiated proceedings against the Temu platform
“The Temu website is one of the largest shopping platforms with Chinese capital. It offers various categories of goods, including clothing, cosmetics, electronic appliances and household items. The Irish company Whaleco Technology Limited based in Dublin is responsible for sales in Poland. It was the president of the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection (UOKiK) who brought charges of violating consumer rights after the office checked the way information important for buyers was presented on the website and in the Temu application.” – the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection (UOKiK) said in a statement.
The Office of Competition and Consumer Protection (UOKiK) reminded that providers of online trading platforms must provide consumers with information required by law within a specified time and in an appropriate manner. When shopping online, consumers must be informed about what rights they will have before concluding a contract. Consumers must be clear who they are buying from – an entrepreneur or an individual – and what the division of responsibilities is between the seller and the platform we use to order.
What specific charges does the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection bring against the Temu platform?
“In the opinion of the President of the Office, when making purchases via the Temu website or mobile application, consumers may not receive clear and distinct information on this subject” – added.
Added that The Office of Competition and Consumer Protection also raises doubts about the way in which sellers’ data are presented – this information may not be available to obtain easily and intuitively, because to access it you need to click on selected interface elements several times.
“It also happens that some of the content available there is presented in Chinese. Meanwhile, when shopping in e-commerce, the priority is to provide consumers with transparency and reliable knowledge about the contract concluded remotely. The EU Omnibus directive has increased protection in the digital world, and the President of the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection is verifying whether the new regulations are correctly applied“- indicated in the announcement.
Another objection concerns the labeling of the button used to order productsso that consumers know when the obligation to pay for goods in the virtual basket arises.
What are the consequences of violating the law by an e-commerce platform?
As indicated by the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection, if the allegations are confirmed, Whaleco Technology Limited may face a fine of up to 10%. turnover for each contested practice.
The Office of Competition and Consumer Protection is also conducting explanatory proceedings in the Temu casein which it checks, among others, the way prices are presented and other information presented to consumers.
