Motorola phones caught injecting affiliate codes into Amazon app without user consent
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· 2 sourcesMotorola has ended an "unintended" behavior where its Smart Feed app was injecting affiliate tracking codes into the Amazon app without user consent, the company confirmed. The issue, which affected devices including the $1,900 Razr Fold, redirected Amazon purchases through a code linked to a random fashion influencer, allowing Motorola to earn commissions. 9to5Google first reported the practice, which Motorola described as "unintended" and has since stopped.
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Summary
Motorola smartphones are reportedly hijacking the Amazon app to inject affiliate codes when users open the app. This behavior, triggered by a system app update, redirects Amazon purchases through a Motorola-affiliated tracking code, allowing the company to earn commissions on user purchases. The issue affects even high-end devices like the $1,900 Razr Fold. This practice is compared to other controversial affiliate code injection schemes like the Honey browser extension, but is considered particularly egregious as it happens at the operating system level without user knowledge or consent.
Key quotes
· 3 pulledA truly bizarre situation on Motorola phones has led to the software hijacking the Amazon app to inject an affiliate code – even on the $1,900 Razr Fold.
The shady use of affiliate codes has become unfortunately common in recent years, with the most high-profile example being the PayPal-owned browser extension Honey.
But a new situation on Motorola smartphones might top the charts in terms of sketchy behavior.
