Temu’s popularity plummets in Uzbekistan following block announcement

Following the announcement that Temu, the Chinese marketplace offering low-cost goods, would be blocked in Uzbekistan starting March 20, the app lost its leading position in the list of most downloaded applications.

According to Similar Web data as of March 9, 2025, Temu’s ranking among Uzbek users fell to 35th place on Google Play. At the same time, ChatGPT became the most downloaded app among Android users in Uzbekistan. On the App Store, Temu is no longer in the top rankings, having dropped out of the top 50 altogether.

For comparison, as of February 10, Temu was ranked first on the Play Store and second on the App Store. Overall, for the past six months, Temu had consistently held the top spot among the most downloaded apps in Uzbekistan.

Why is Temu being blocked?

Starting July 1, 2025, foreign e-commerce platforms that are not registered in Uzbekistan will be prohibited from operating in the country. These platforms must either register as taxpayers in Uzbekistan or establish a subsidiary within the country. This requirement was established by a resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers adopted at the end of 2024.

Authorities decided to enforce these requirements for Temu starting March 20, after which the platform will be blocked in Uzbekistan. Citizens have been advised not to place any further orders through the marketplace, and those with pending orders are encouraged to request refunds.

Officials justified this decision by citing Temu’s non-compliance with Uzbekistan’s laws on e-commerce, retail trade, advertising, personal data protection, consumer rights, copyright, and related rights.

According to Uzbekistan’s marketplace regulator, the National Agency for Perspective Projects, Uzbek consumers purchased goods worth over $10 million from Temu in the past year.