Controversies
Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.
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2022
Amazon Durham workers allege forced night-shift changes
Issue disclosure
Workers at Amazon's Durham warehouse alleged that staff were moved from permanent day shifts to night shifts with little notice and without permission. Amazon said shift patterns can change and that it works individually with employees to understand their circumstances.
Company response
Clarification — Amazon
Shift patterns can change from time to time and we always work with employees individually to understand their personal circumstances and look to offer a shift option that best supports them.”
Source excerpt
Shift patterns can change from time to time and we always work with employees individually to understand their personal circumstances and look to offer a shift option that best supports them.”
Dozens of staff working at the enormous warehouse at Integra 61 in Bowburn have been moved from permanent day shift to night shift "without permission" and "very little notice."
2022
U.S. lawmakers refer Amazon matter to the Justice Department
Investigation
U.S. lawmakers said they referred Amazon to the Justice Department to investigate whether the company and its executives obstructed Congress. The lawmakers alleged that Amazon used third-party sellers’ data to benefit its own-brand business and favored its own-brand products in search results; the source does not establish that the Justice Department opened an investigation.
Source excerpt
它利用第三方卖家的数据为其自有品牌业务谋利，并在搜索结果中偏袒自有品牌产品。
为此，我们别无选择，只能将此事提交司法部，以调查亚马逊及其高管是否在违反适用的联邦法律的情况下阻挠国会。
2022
Washington fines Amazon over workplace hazards
Fine or penalty
Washington State labor officials cited and fined Amazon after inspectors found serious hazards at its Kent fulfillment center. The officials said Amazon knowingly put workers at risk of injury.
Source excerpt
State labor officials said inspectors found 10 practices created a serious hazard for workers at Amazon's Kent fulfillment center.
SEATTLE — The state Department of Labor & Industries cited and fined one of Washington's largest employers this month after inspectors ruled that Amazon "knowingly put workers at risk of injury" at a Kent fulfillment center.
2022
Amazon sues alleged fake review brokers
Lawsuit filed
Amazon filed lawsuits against AppSally and Rebatest, alleging that they connected third-party sellers with consumers who posted positive product reviews in exchange for free products or payments. The allegations are not presented as court findings.
Source excerpt
The lawsuits filed in King County Superior Court in Seattle accuse the companies, AppSally and Rebatest, of fostering fake reviews on Amazon's online marketplace. The companies allegedly connected third-party sellers with consumers who would leave a positive review of their product, in exchange for free products or payments.
Amazon on Tuesday filed lawsuits against two companies that allegedly acted as fake review brokers.
A Rebatest spokesperson told Insider that the company was "shocked" by the lawsuit and that the site "didn't encourage our users to do fake reviews."
2022
CECC urges Amazon to address supplier labor abuses
Issue disclosure
CECC leaders wrote to Amazon urging it to publicly support Chinese labor activist Tang Mingfang’s appeal and compensate him after he was imprisoned for reporting labor violations at an Amazon supplier factory. The article also reports China Labor Watch’s criticism that Amazon and Foxconn failed to meet supplier standards on grievance mechanisms and whistleblower protection; these are allegations and calls for action, not findings of guilt.
Source excerpt
“富士康对其严重违法行为举报人唐明芳的报复性行为，以及亚马逊对其供应商迫害举报人行为的不作为，代表了两公司并未对其供应链中的种种问题做出更正，”声明说。
美国两党及两院的国会及行政当局中国委员会（CECC）的两位领导人星期三（2月16日）再次致函亚马逊，要求该公司支持中国劳工维权人士唐明芳向法院提出免除罪责和赔偿的请求。
唐明芳因举报亚马逊的供应商衡阳富士康工厂侵犯劳工而被监禁两年，据信他还遭到了刑讯逼供。
2022
Amazon removes Nazi propaganda films after criticism
Company response
After criticism over Nazi propaganda films available on its platform, Amazon removed 23 of the 30 films identified in the report, including “Triumph of the Will”; the article says some hateful Nazi films remained on sale.
Company response
Remediation — Amazon
Following the growing criticism, Amazon removed 23 of the 30 Nazi propaganda films, including “Triumph of the Will.”
Source excerpt
Following the growing criticism, Amazon removed 23 of the 30 Nazi propaganda films, including “Triumph of the Will.” Hikind called it an “important victory.” However, hateful Nazi films continue to be on sale on the platform, he pointed out.
2022
McEwen family files lawsuit against Amazon over tornado deaths
Lawsuit filed
Austin McEwen’s parents said they were suing Amazon, alleging that Amazon and other parties failed to take reasonable precautions to protect workers after a tornado struck its Edwardsville warehouse. Amazon said it would defend against the lawsuit.
Company response
Denial — Amazon
亚马逊发言人凯利·南特尔（Kelly Nantel）则在周一发表声明称，该公司将对这起诉讼进行辩护
Source excerpt
他的父母在美国当地时间周一召开新闻发布会称其正在起诉亚马逊，指控该公司导致他们的儿子异常死亡。
亚马逊发言人凯利·南特尔（Kelly Nantel）则在周一发表声明称，该公司将对这起诉讼进行辩护
2022
Family sues Amazon over warehouse collapse death
Lawsuit filed
The family of a delivery driver who died when a tornado collapsed the Amazon facility where he worked filed a wrongful-death lawsuit against Amazon in Madison County.
Source excerpt
The family of a delivery driver who died last month when a tornado collapsed the central Illinois Amazon facility where he worked filed a wrongful death lawsuit Monday in Madison County.
Amazon said in a statement the lawsuit "misunderstands key facts," including those about the differences in severe weather and tornado alerts, and that severe weather is common in the area and isn't always an imperative to "close down."
The family of one of six people killed in a deadly December tornado that leveled an Amazon warehouse in southwest Illinois is suing the online retail behemoth, saying it put "profits first during this holiday season instead of the safety of our son and the other five families who lost loved ones."
2022
Watchdog reports Nazi propaganda films available on Amazon
Issue disclosure
Americans Against Anti-Semitism said it found 30 Nazi propaganda films available for sale or streaming on Amazon without a disclaimer or editorial content, and called on Amazon to remove them.
Source excerpt
Americans Against Anti-Semitism, an advocacy group that combats hate, found 30 Nazi propaganda films that were available for sale or streaming in their entirety without any disclaimer or editorial content.
Amazon sells and streams more than 30 Nazi propaganda films, according to information from a watchdog group provided to the Washington Free Beacon.
2021
Consumer Product Safety Commission hazardous-product complaint
The CPSC alleged that Amazon should bear distributor-level recall responsibilities for hazardous third-party products, including defective carbon-monoxide detectors, noncompliant children’s sleepwear, and hair dryers lacking required electrocution protection.
2021
Protests organized against Amazon over Tandav
Public backlash
In January 2021, protests were organized against Amazon over the web series Tandav. BJP lawmakers and others took part in the protests, alleging that the series insulted Hindu gods and goddesses. The controversy centered on claims that the show's content was offensive to Hindu deities.
BJP lawmakers and others organized protests against Amazon over the web series Tandav, which they alleged insulted Hindu gods and goddesses.
Stated objective. To warn Amazon not to show scenes alleged to insult Hindu gods and goddesses.
Source excerpt
Protests against Amazon.com have been organised for Monday to warn it not to show scenes insulting Hindu gods and goddesses, Ram Kadam, a BJP member of the Maharashtra legislative assembly, said in a tweet after filing a complaint with police in Mumbai on Sunday.
The political drama “Tandav” also drew the ire of other lawmakers from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), causing fresh controversy for the e-commerce giant
A local official from India’s ruling Hindu nationalist party on Sunday registered a police complaint against an Amazon Prime web series alleging it insults Hindu gods and goddesses, and threatened to launch a protest at the company’s office in Mumbai.
2021
Parler sues Amazon over account suspension
Lawsuit filed
Parler sued Amazon.com Inc in the U.S. District Court in Seattle, accusing Amazon's web hosting service of violating antitrust law by suspending Parler's account. Parler sought an order requiring Amazon to reinstate the account and unspecified triple damages. These are Parler's allegations and requests, not a court determination.
Company response
Denial — Amazon
Amazon said the lawsuit has no merit.
Source excerpt
Parler LLC, a social networking service favoured by many supporters of United States President Donald Trump, sued Amazon.com Inc on Monday, accusing its internet hosting service of making an illegal, politically motivated decision to shut down its account.
Parler wants a court order requiring Amazon to reinstate its account and provide services it had contracted for. It is also seeking unspecified triple damages.
The social platform Parler sued Amazon on Monday after the tech giant's web division forced the conservative-favored network offline for failing to rein in incitements to violence.
2021
ADT sues Amazon over alleged Ring trademark infringement
Lawsuit filed
In 2021, ADT filed a lawsuit against Amazon, alleging that Amazon's subsidiary Ring infringed ADT's blue octagon trademark. The source reports this as an allegation made by ADT in its lawsuit; it does not state that infringement was found or established. The dispute concerns the use of the blue octagon mark. No further details on the claims, the parties' responses, or the outcome are provided in the source.
ADT is suing Amazon, alleging that its subsidiary Ring infringed ADT's blue octagon trademark. The source describes this as a claim, not a determination of infringement.
Source excerpt
ADT is suing Amazon over claims that its subsidiary, Ring, infringed its “iconic blue octagon” trademark.
2021
RWDSU files objections to Amazon warehouse union election
Issue disclosure
The Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU) formally challenged the union election at Amazon's Bessemer, Alabama, warehouse. The union alleged that Amazon threatened employees with closure or layoffs if they joined a union and interfered with the election. Amazon disputed the union's claims about the ballot box and said it looked forward to the next legal steps.
RWDSU formally challenged the union election at Amazon’s Bessemer, Alabama, warehouse, alleging that Amazon threatened employees with closure or layoffs if they joined a union and interfered with the election. Amazon disputed the union’s claims about the ballot box and said it looked forward to the next legal steps.
Company response
Denial — Amazon
亚马逊发言人在发给The Verge的电子邮件声明中表示，RWDSU关于收集箱的指控并不准确。
Source excerpt
亚马逊在一份声明中表示，期待着下一步的法律程序。
亚马逊发言人在发给The Verge的电子邮件声明中表示，RWDSU关于收集箱的指控并不准确。
美国零售、批发和百货商店联盟(RWDSU)对亚马逊在阿拉巴马州贝塞默的一个仓库的工会选举结果提出正式异议，称这家电商威胁要裁员。
2021
UK regulator investigates Amazon and Google over fake reviews
Investigation
In 2021, the U.K. Competition and Markets Authority opened a formal investigation into whether Amazon and Google broke U.K. consumer law by failing to protect shoppers from fake and misleading reviews. The regulator examined whether the companies did enough to prevent such reviews from appearing on their platforms and to shield consumers from their effects. The investigation concerned the two companies' handling of fake and misleading reviews of goods. The authority announced the formal probe as part of its enforcement of U.K. consumer protection rules.
Source excerpt
The Competition and Markets Authority said it opened a formal investigation into whether the two companies broke U.K. consumer law by failing to protect shoppers.
Our worry is that millions of online shoppers could be misled by reading fake reviews and then spending their money based on those recommendations
U.K. regulators said on Friday that they’re investigating Google and Amazon over concerns the online giants aren’t doing enough to stop fake reviews of products and services on their platforms.
2021
Report raises safety and performance concerns about Amazon Astro
Issue disclosure
A report by Vice's Motherboard, citing leaked internal Amazon documents, said developers had expressed doubts about the safety of Astro and described concerns about its person detection and hardware. Amazon disputed those characterisations, stating that they were inaccurate and that the robot underwent rigorous quality and safety testing. The report and Amazon's response present differing accounts of the internal discussion around Astro's development.
A report by Vice’s Motherboard, citing leaked internal Amazon documents, said developers had expressed doubts about Astro’s safety and described concerns about its person detection and hardware. Amazon disputed those characterisations, saying they were inaccurate and that the robot underwent rigorous quality and safety testing.
Company response
Denial — Amazon
Amazon told the Verge that the characterisations of Astro’s performance, mast and safety systems were “simply inaccurate”
Source excerpt
Vice’s Motherboard reported leaked internal documents from Amazon that show developers expressing doubts about the safety of the Astro and shed light on how it provides its security features.
Amazon told the Verge that the characterisations of Astro’s performance, mast and safety systems were “simply inaccurate” and that the robot went through “rigorous testing” for quality and safety.
2021
Amazon settles with two former employees over their firings
Settlement
Amazon reached a settlement with former employees Maren Costa and Emily Cunningham, who had accused the company of violating labor laws by firing them. The National Labor Relations Board had found that Amazon acted illegally in firing them. The settlement terms were not disclosed.
Source excerpt
NLRB administrative law judge John Giannopoulos announced the settlement at a virtual hearing Wednesday where he was expected to review the agency's formal complaint accusing Amazon of unfair labor practice violations.
Amazon has reached a settlement with two former employees who the National Labor Relations Board found were illegally fired for publicly criticizing the company's labor practices and impact on the climate,
The employees, Maren Costa and Emily Cunningham, filed a complaint to the NLRB last October, accusing Amazon of violating labor laws by firing them in April 2020.
2021
Amazon Cape Town headquarters plans prompt local protest
Public backlash
Amazon's plans for a regional base in Cape Town are part of a project that has prompted protests from local groups, who say the site is sacred. The controversy concerns the company's planned headquarters in the city, with opponents objecting on the grounds that the location holds sacred significance for them. The dispute centers on the proposed site and the objections raised by local groups rather than on any reported resolution or outcome.
Amazon’s plans for a regional base in Cape Town are part of a project that has prompted protests from local groups, who say the site is sacred.
Source excerpt
Retail giant’s plans for regional base in Cape Town is part of project igniting protest from local groups who say site is sacred
2021
Italy fines Amazon and Apple over sales restrictions
Fine or penalty
Italy's antitrust authority fined Amazon and Apple over alleged anti-competitive cooperation in the sale of Apple and Beats products. According to the authority, provisions in a 2018 agreement restricted which resellers could sell these products on Amazon.it, and it ordered the companies to end the restrictions. Apple denied wrongdoing and said it planned to appeal.
Company response
Denial — Apple
Apple denied any wrongdoing and said it plans to appeal against the fine.
Denial — Amazon
We reject the suggestion that Amazon benefits by excluding sellers from our store, since our business model relies on their success.
Denial — Apple
Meanwhile, Apple denied any wrongdoing:
Source excerpt
Apple denies doing anything wrong
Italy's antitrust authority (AGCM) has issued Amazon and Apple with large fines after concluding the two companies worked together to control sales of Apple and Beats products.
The so-called anti-competitive cooperation has landed Amazon with a $77 million fine, while Apple suffers a larger $151 million fine.
2021
Amazon announces plan to reduce plastic packaging in Germany
Company response
Amazon announced that it intends to largely do away with plastic packaging in Germany by the end of 2021, replacing single-use plastic packaging bags with paper bags and shipping larger items in corrugated cardboard boxes. The announcement followed accusations that its plastic packaging contributed to plastic waste and ocean pollution.
Company response
Remediation — Amazon
The US online retail giant Amazon on Monday announced that it intends to largely do away with plastic packaging in Germany by the end of the year. The Seattle-based company says it will replace all single-use plastic packaging bags with paper bags and ship larger items in corrugated cardboard boxes.
Source excerpt
Environmental groups have also accused Amazon of contributing to the pollution of the oceans with excessive reliance on plastic.
The US online retail giant Amazon on Monday announced that it intends to largely do away with plastic packaging in Germany by the end of the year.