From July 1, shipments from non-European Union countries with a value not exceeding 150 euros will be additionally taxed with a customs duty of at least 3 euros. This means that consumers may have to pay more for cheap goods. Experts do not rule out that as the new rules come into effect, some people may rush to purchase goods before their prices increase.
However, Ramūnas Liubertas, senior cybersecurity engineer at NOD Baltic and ESET expert, warns that an extremely low price does not always mean a good deal, especially when part of it is paid with our personal data, privacy, or subtle influence on our choices.
“These platforms earn from seller commission fees, advertising, logistics efficiency, and repeat user purchases, even if an individual item barely brings profit. Low prices also attract a large flow of users, which becomes valuable to the platforms in itself. Ultimately, the buyer often pays not only with money but also with longer delivery times, more complicated return processes, or even personal data,” says the IT expert.
Still, privacy or data security risks are not unique to Chinese platforms. Similar data is collected by many shopping or social media apps, but the difference often lies in regulation, transparency, and user data protection standards. Therefore, specialists urge responsible evaluation of any platform – regardless of its country of origin.
Why are these platforms so engaging?
If you have used such apps or online stores, you have probably noticed that closing them quickly is not easy. And this is not without reason.
Platform algorithms and design are created to encourage longer browsing and spontaneous shopping. Limited-time offers, constantly decreasing prices, additional discounts, or gamified elements work similarly to social media mechanisms.
“Platforms exploit the effect of quick rewards and fear of missing a good deal. Extremely low prices create a feeling that a person loses almost nothing, so decisions become more impulsive,” says R. Liubertas, adding that over time this can encourage emotional shopping and increase unconscious consumption.
What do cheap shopping platforms know about us?
Some users still think that shopping apps collect only information necessary for delivery or payment. However, in reality, the amount of data collected is much broader.
Platforms like Temu, SHEIN or AliExpress may have not only your name, address, or purchase history but also information about the device used, ad clicks, location, or usage habits.
According to R. Liubertas, from this data it is possible to understand quite accurately what a person is interested in and how they make decisions.
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“Platforms can determine which products interest you, how sensitive you are to prices, when you usually shop, and whether you tend to make impulsive purchases. Such data is used not only for commerce but also for very precise user profiling and personalized advertising,” he explains.
The expert adds that users often grant apps various permissions without considering whether they are really necessary.
“When installing apps, users often automatically press ‘allow.’ Requests for access to contacts, constant location, microphone, or camera should raise suspicion if they are not clearly related to store functions. Each permission should be justified by a specific and clearly visible function, for example, using the camera to scan QR codes or location to show the nearest store,” he emphasizes.
Not only privacy challenges
Although privacy challenges are most often mentioned when talking about cheap shopping platforms, experts warn that cyber security risks should not be overlooked. These can ultimately cause not only inconveniences but also real financial losses.
“If a platform has security vulnerabilities, they can be exploited for data theft, financial crimes, or other cyberattacks. Since these platforms are connected to banks, payment systems, and other important systems, large-scale incidents can affect critical infrastructure and economic stability,” explains R. Liubertas.
For example, if saved payment data falls into malicious hands, users may face unauthorized payments, account takeover attempts, or various fraud schemes.
Therefore, the IT expert urges viewing cheap shopping platforms not only as a way to save money but also as a digital service subject to the same security principles as social networks or online banking, including strong passwords and two-factor authentication.
How to shop more safely?
Ramūnas Liubertas, senior cybersecurity engineer at NOD Baltic and ESET expert, provides recommendations on how to take care of your security when shopping online or using cheap platform apps:
- check if the website you shop on uses a secure connection (“https”) and what its domain registration date is;
- evaluate who the app developer is and what reviews it has;
- review the permissions requested and do not grant them if you have doubts;
- use strong passwords and two-factor authentication;
- use only trusted payment methods or intermediaries for payments;
- do not forget antivirus software or other security solutions.
“Even a short 30-second check often helps avoid fraud, data theft, or installing unsafe apps,” summarizes R. Liubertas.
