Amazon.com Inc. has sparked controversy among numerous online retailers by using experimental artificial intelligence tools to scrape their websites and list products on its marketplace without consent. The tools include “Shop Direct” and the “Buy for Me” feature, which allows Amazon to facilitate purchases on behalf of customers. Many retailers, unaware of their inclusion in these listings, have expressed feelings of exploitation, as products are showcased without permission, and inaccuracies have been reported.
Critics, including Bobo Design Studio’s CEO Angie Chua, have voiced concerns about reputational risks and the lack of opt-in consent. Amazon, while asserting its support for small businesses, emphasizes that companies can opt out via email. This initiative is part of Amazon’s broader strategy to enhance consumer experience through agentic commerce, despite its previous opposition to others using AI to scrape its marketplace. Such practices raise questions about ethical boundaries and retailer autonomy.
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