Amazon.com algorithms push users towards extremist misinformation and conspiracy theories, study finds
- The report, from the Institute for Strategic Dialogue, shows how searches on Amazon.com, as on other digital platforms, bring up misinformation
- Amazon says its ‘shopping and discovery tools are not designed to generate results oriented to a specific point of view’
Amazon.com’s search and recommendation algorithms channel customers into consuming increasingly extremist misinformation, according to a new report.
The report, by the Institute for Strategic Dialogue, adds to a growing body of research on how digital platforms – including Facebook, YouTube and Amazon – can inadvertently inflame conspiracy theories.
Previous reports have highlighted how algorithms surface misinformation in search results and news feeds. Recommendation algorithms, such as Facebook’s suggestions for “Groups you might be interested in”, can help propel the spread of ideologies like white supremacism and vaccine denialism, studies have found.
In a statement, Amazon said its search and recommendation algorithms are agnostic to the viewpoints presented in its results.
“We take concerns from the Institute for Strategic Dialogue seriously, and are committed to providing a positive experience for our customers,” Amazon public relations manager Stephany Rochon said in a statement.