Temu, in particular, operates very much like a gambling app, with the clothing and other products dangled as prizes. Yes, you can purchase them directly -- but

Temu, in particular, operates very much like a gambling app, with the clothing and other products dangled as prizes. Yes, you can purchase them directly -- but there are ample avenues through which you are tempted to get them for even more steeply discounted prices by completing various challenges, promotions, and games. The app steers users heavily toward its in-app games that use tactics grabbed straight from slot machines to keep users enticed. I was directed toward its Fishland game, which allows you to select five products, each valued between $10-$20, to get for free if you complete the game. And initially, the game is easy and credits are free-flowing. You're told you're 50% of the way there within the first few minutes of playing. But as you get closer and closer to 100%, progress becomes glacial, and you're directed to make more purchases and share referral codes to earn more credits. I'm told that to get from 99.99% to 100%, you need 100,000 credits.