Temu Minor Users Drop Privacy Lawsuit After Arbitration Ruling

Plaintiffs allege Temu illegally collected and shared personal data of minors without consent.

Mar. 13, 2026 at 9:51pm

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Minor plaintiffs who alleged the operator of the Temu online shopping platform illegally collected their personal data and disclosed it to third parties without consent have asked a federal court to dismiss their privacy lawsuit. The move comes seven months after a judge granted the company's motion to compel Temu users, including minors, to arbitrate their claims.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing tensions between consumer privacy rights, particularly for minors, and the data collection practices of major online retailers. The outcome could set a precedent for how such disputes are handled going forward.

The details

The minor plaintiffs filed a motion for approval of voluntary dismissal with prejudice in the US District Court for the Eastern District of New York, after Judge Margo K. Brodie granted Temu's motion to compel arbitration of the users' claims. This means the plaintiffs have decided to drop the lawsuit and pursue their claims through private arbitration rather than in federal court.

  • The lawsuit was filed in 2025.
  • In 2026, Judge Brodie granted Temu's motion to compel arbitration.
  • On March 13, 2026, the minor plaintiffs filed the motion to dismiss the lawsuit.

The players

Temu

An online shopping platform operated by a company that allegedly collected and shared personal data of minor users without consent.

Judge Margo K. Brodie

The federal judge who granted Temu's motion to compel arbitration of the users' claims.

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What they’re saying

“We must protect the privacy rights of minors online, but this case shows the challenges in doing so when companies compel arbitration.”

— Privacy Advocate (Privacy Times)

What’s next

The minor plaintiffs will now pursue their claims against Temu through private arbitration rather than in federal court.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing tension between consumer privacy, especially for minors, and the data collection practices of major online retailers. The outcome could set a precedent for how such disputes are handled in the future.