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Motorola's Hidden Affiliate Links in Amazon App Spark Backlash

Android Central •
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Motorola slipped an affiliate link into Amazon purchases through its pre‑installed Smart Feed app, a claim first flagged by a Razr Ultra 2026 user on Reddit. The app appeared to redirect Amazon users to a sketchy URL that then routed them back to Amazon with a hidden code, effectively siphoning commission from the retailer today.

Investigators traced the redirection to Device Native, a third‑party service Motorola partnered with for app‑search suggestions. Every time the Amazon app launched, the device pinged devicenative.com, triggering a tracking link before the official app opened. Users reported a brief flash of a fake fashion‑influencer site that carried Motorola’s own affiliate code for purchase tracking benefits.

Motorola’s response came within hours, labeling the behavior as unintended. The company said it had corrected the routing configuration to send users straight to the Amazon app, and pledged to monitor the system closely. It also reiterated its commitment to privacy and platform integrity amid growing scrutiny of affiliate practices by tech watchdogs and investors.

The episode underscores how even mainstream manufacturers risk reputational damage when third‑party services slip into core user flows. Consumers lose trust when hidden commissions surface, while regulators tighten rules around affiliate disclosure. Motorola’s quick fix may quell immediate backlash, but the incident highlights the need for stricter oversight in the mobile ecosystem by industry stakeholders.