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Amazon is investigating allegations that some of its employees have offered to divulge confidential information and remove negative product reviews in exchange for money.
According to a Wall Street Journal article published Sunday, Amazon (AMZN) Staff members sell internal data and other benefits that independent traders can use to try to get a better ranking of their products when searching the site. The practice is "particularly pronounced in China," says the article.
A spokeswoman for Amazon told CNN that the company had launched an investigation into these complaints.
"We impose high ethical standards on our employees and anyone who violates our code faces disciplinary action, including lay-offs and potential legal and penal sanctions," she said.
Brokers for Amazon employees in the city of Shenzhen, southern China, provided internal sales indicators and mailing addresses to independent auditors for payments between $ 80 and $ 2,000. Brokers have also proposed removing negative revisions and restoring banned accounts.
Amazon has "sophisticated systems to restrict and audit access to information," said the company spokeswoman, adding that it would also punish sellers who break its rules.
"We have a zero tolerance for the abuse of our systems and if we find bad actors who have engaged in this behavior, we will take swift action against them, including in saying.
The newspaper reported that Amazon was investigating several incidents, including some involving employees in the United States.
The e-commerce giant has had problems with its product reviews dating back several years.
In 2015, the company sued over 1,000 people who "misled Amazon's customers" by selling "fake product reviews," according to a complaint. This lawsuit targeted account holders on Fiverr.com, a bargain for odd jobs where "concerts" are sold for $ 5 or more.
CNNMoney (New York) First published on September 17, 2018: 2:16 AM ET
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