Amazon ‘Reviewing’ Its Website After It Suggested Bomb-Making Items
- 7 years ago
Amazon ‘Reviewing’ Its Website After It Suggested Bomb-Making Items
LONDON — Amazon said on Wednesday that it was reviewing its website after a British television report said the online retail
giant’s algorithms were automatically suggesting bomb-making ingredients that were “Frequently bought together.”
The news is particularly timely in Britain, where the authorities are investigating
a terrorist attack last week on London’s Underground subway system.
Amazon said in a statement that all the products sold on its website “must adhere to our selling guidelines
and we only sell products that comply with U. K. laws.”
“In light of recent events, we are reviewing our website to ensure
that all these products are presented in an appropriate manner,” the statement continued.
Amazon customers buying products that were innocent enough on their own, like cooking ingredients, received “Frequently bought together” prompts for other items
that would help them produce explosives, according to the Channel 4 News.
Although many of the ingredients mentioned by Channel 4 News are not illegal on their own, the report said there had been
successful prosecutions in Britain against individuals who bought chemicals and components that can produce explosives.
LONDON — Amazon said on Wednesday that it was reviewing its website after a British television report said the online retail
giant’s algorithms were automatically suggesting bomb-making ingredients that were “Frequently bought together.”
The news is particularly timely in Britain, where the authorities are investigating
a terrorist attack last week on London’s Underground subway system.
Amazon said in a statement that all the products sold on its website “must adhere to our selling guidelines
and we only sell products that comply with U. K. laws.”
“In light of recent events, we are reviewing our website to ensure
that all these products are presented in an appropriate manner,” the statement continued.
Amazon customers buying products that were innocent enough on their own, like cooking ingredients, received “Frequently bought together” prompts for other items
that would help them produce explosives, according to the Channel 4 News.
Although many of the ingredients mentioned by Channel 4 News are not illegal on their own, the report said there had been
successful prosecutions in Britain against individuals who bought chemicals and components that can produce explosives.