Temu’s deals feel like a game but behind the scenes the Chinese shopping app uses underhand psychological tactics known as ‘dark patterns’ to keep us spending. Temu was the most downloaded app in the UK, US, Australia and Canada at the beginning of last year. Neelam Tailor uncovers the tactics the shopping app borrows from casinos and gaming apps to manipulate shoppers, and explores the environmental, ethical and data privacy risks that come with those bargain hauls