Synopsis: Amazon's covert operation, "Project Curiosity" , aimed at gathering intelligence on competitors like Walmart and eBay. Allegedly conducted under the guise of a fake business entity called Big River, Amazon purportedly sold various products on competitors' platforms to extract strategic insights.
The purported company, Big River, purportedly marketed products such as t-shirts, footwear, and beach chairs on competitors' platforms with the intention of gathering intelligence from rivals.
Allegedly, Amazon operated a covert operation dubbed "Project Curiosity" to gather intelligence on competitors such as Walmart, eBay, and FedEx. Initially conceived in 2015 to compare third-party seller experiences across e-commerce platforms, the project evolved into a surveillance mechanism, particularly focused on Walmart, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal.
Under the guise of a fictitious entity named Big River, Amazon purportedly sold various items like t-shirts, shoes, and beach chairs on competitors' platforms to extract information for strategic insights. To conceal their affiliation with Amazon, Big River employees minimized electronic records and used non-Amazon email addresses when communicating with other companies. They received guidance on how to handle inquiries regarding their association with Amazon.
Amazon defended its actions as "benchmarking," a lawful practice of product comparison. However, according to The Journal, Big River Services International members were directed to capture screenshots of competitors' pricing and advertising systems, catalogs, and listing pages without sharing them via email. Amazon allegedly implemented improvements to its seller experience based on insights gathered by Big River.
Moreover, Big River ventured into developing its own brands for sale through competitors' marketplaces. Notably, an India-based brand named Crimson Knot sold photo frames on Flipkart, while a streetwear brand called Not So Ape utilized a Shopify-hosted website for sales in the US.
Overall, the alleged activities of Amazon's secret operation raise questions about competitive practices and the boundaries of market surveillance in the e-commerce industry.
In conclusion, the revelations surrounding Amazon's clandestine operation, "Project Curiosity," shed light on the lengths to which tech giants may go to gain competitive advantages in the e-commerce landscape.
The alleged use of a fake business, Big River, to gather intelligence on rivals like Walmart and eBay raises ethical and legal concerns about market surveillance and fair competition practices.
While Amazon contends that its actions were merely part of benchmarking exercises, the methods employed, including the development of proprietary brands for sale on competitors' platforms, underscore the complexity of modern-day competition in the digital marketplace.
As regulatory scrutiny intensifies, the implications of such practices for consumer choice, market dynamics, and the broader e-commerce ecosystem warrant careful consideration and oversight.
