Senators ask Jeff Bezos to explain how Amazon recommends products
Two high-profile Senate Democrats are asking Amazon for answers about its “Amazon’s Choice” badge, as it could be deceiving consumers into buying “inferior” products.
In a letter to Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos on Monday, Senators Bob Menendez and Richard Blumenthal asked for more clarity on how the Amazon’s Choice program works, citing a recent BuzzFeed report that showed it often endorses defective or poor quality items.
The senators asked for a “detailed explanation” on the selection process for the Amazon’s Choice badge, including the algorithm used to make the determination and whether employees actually review each item before assigning the distinction. They’re also asking what Amazon is doing to verify user reviews, which could affect what products get the badge, and if any financial compensation is involved in the process.
The letter is the latest example of Washington’s growing concern of Big Tech, specifically regarding the control Amazon has over consumer behavior as more shopping activity moves online and to mobile devices.
An Amazon spokesperson said in a statement to Business Insider that it uses investigators and automated technology to prevent and detect fake reviews at scale.
More Amazon news
Keep “Supervillain” Jeff Bezos from returning to Earth, petitions beg
70000 people sign petitions to keep “Supervillain” Jeff Bezos in space forever More than 70,000 people have signed petitions calling to stop Jeff Bezos from returning to Earth after he blasts into space next month. Bezos said earlier this month that he and his brother...
Severe shipping delays from China due to Covid outbreak in Guangdong
Shipping delays and congestion worsen at South China ports Covid-19 outbrakes in Shenzhen and Guangzhou are causing serious shipping delays that could last until the end of June and lead to further rise in ocean freight rates. Yantian port, the key export facility in...
New services for online merchants
Ecommerce services by Instagram, Google and Facebook Here are some of the newly launched services for Ecommerce entrepreneurs by Instagram, Google and Facebook. Instagram launches section for product drops Instagram is adding a new feature to help connect...
