The Turkish Competition Authority has imposed an administrative fine of approximately $78,066 (TRY 3.696 million) on e-commerce platform Temu for obstructing a scheduled on-site inspection, while opting not to launch a formal antitrust investigation against the company.
According to a newly published decision by the Authority, inspectors visited the Istanbul offices of Whaleco Türkiye Teknoloji AS and Whaleco Technology Limited (operating jointly as Temu) on January 21, 2026. The unannounced visit was part of a preliminary probe into allegations that Temu interfered with the selling prices of third-party vendors on its platform, potentially violating Article 4 of Türkiye’s Competition Law.
However, inspectors were unable to inspect after finding the offices locked. Despite hours of coordination with Temu’s legal representatives and an initial promise from a local employee to arrive on-site, no company personnel showed up to provide access or supply the required organisational chart.
Consequently, the Board ruled that Temu had actively hindered the regulatory audit. Under Article 16 of Law No. 4054, the Board levied an administrative fine equivalent to 0.5 percent (five-thousandths) of Temu's gross revenues for the 2024 financial year—the most recent finalised fiscal period submitted by the company.
Despite the penalty for the audit obstruction, the Authority concluded its preliminary inquiry without initiating a full-scale investigation into Temu's pricing practices, officially closing the file.
In a statement addressing the outcome, a Temu spokesperson acknowledged both the closure of the pricing probe and the administrative fine:
"We note the Turkish Competition Authority's decision not to open a formal investigation into Temu pricing practices and officially closed the case. We also note the fine of TRY 3.696 million (approximately EUR 68,600) issued by the Authority for hindering an inspection and failing to submit requested information within the specified deadline."
Temu retains the right to appeal the administrative fine before the Administrative Courts in Ankara within 60 days of formal notification.
