Amazon angers retailers by listing products from other sites without consent

Amazon is stirring controversy by listing products from other retailers on its platform without obtaining their consent, a move that has drawn sharp criticism. The e-commerce giant, known for its strict policies against data scraping, appears to be employing similar tactics as it tests a new feature named "Shop Direct." This beta feature showcases items from external retailers and brands that Amazon does not sell directly, redirecting customers to the original sites for purchase. Sellers who find their products listed without permission can request their removal, but notably, Amazon does not require retailers to opt-in beforehand. An Amazon spokesperson emphasized that the tool aims to enhance product discovery for customers and assist businesses in reaching a broader audience. The spokesperson clarified that product details are sourced from publicly available information on brand websites. This development marks a significant shift for Amazon, which has previously taken a hard stance against data scraping, even filing lawsuits against startups like Perplexity for using its data. Juozas Kaziukenas, founder of Marketplace Pulse, pointed out the irony in Amazon's actions, noting that the company is now engaging in practices it has actively prohibited in others. He described the situation as "full of oddness" and highlighted concerns regarding how Amazon manages the accuracy of product information through the new feature. Internally, Amazon is reportedly pursuing an initiative known as Project Starfish, aimed at positioning its marketplace as a comprehensive source for global product information. This includes plans to gather data from approximately 200,000 external brand sites by utilizing crawling and scraping technologies. Additionally, Amazon previously introduced a "Buy for Me" feature that allows customers to shop from other brands' websites while remaining within the Amazon app. This strategy has left many online sellers feeling bewildered. For instance, Angie Chua, CEO of Bobo Design Studio, expressed her confusion and frustration after discovering her products listed on Amazon without her knowledge. She indicated that the information provided on these listings was often incorrect and detrimental to her brand's reputation, affecting her relationships with customers. Chua is not alone; she claims to know over 100 brands facing similar issues, emphasizing that such practices undermine the trust that small businesses strive to build. As data scraping continues to be a contentious issue in the AI sector, Amazon’s actions highlight a complex landscape where the lines between competition and cooperation are increasingly blurred.