Amazon class action lawsuits, data breach, recalls overview:
- Who: Consumers recently filed class action lawsuits against Amazon. The company also experienced recalls and a data breach.
- Why: The class action lawsuits claim Amazon price gouged, downgraded its delivery service to underserved communities, profited off illegal apps and sold chemicals used by two men who died by suicide. The recalls involve speakers and power banks.
- Where: The class action lawsuits were filed in U.S. federal courts. Amazon sold the recalled items to consumers nationwide.
Consumers recently hit Amazon with class action lawsuits. The company also experienced a pair of recalls and a data breach involving employee information.
The Amazon class action lawsuits argue the tech giant price gouged, downgraded its delivery service to underserved communities, profited off illegal apps and sold chemicals used by two men who died by suicide.
Amazon downgraded delivery service for underserved ZIP codes, class action says
A group of Amazon Prime members filed a class action lawsuit against the company in December claiming it secretly downgraded its delivery service for Prime members living in historically underserved communities.
The class action lawsuit argues Amazon limits the way it delivers packages to Prime members living in underserved ZIP codes by relying exclusively on third-party delivery services, such as the U.S. Postal Service and UPS.
“Rather than ensuring expedited delivery by using its own in-house, proprietary delivery systems, Amazon began relying exclusively on third-party delivery services,” the class action says.
Consumers ask judge not to dismiss claims Amazon price gouged customers
Also in December, a group of consumers asked a Washington federal court not to throw out claims Amazon unlawfully marked up necessary household items by more than 1,000%.
The consumers claim Amazon was aware the alleged price gouging violated Washington state consumer law.
Amazon argues it was not aware Washington state consumer law stipulates that price gouging was illegal, that the claims are overly broad and that the Washington State Supreme Court’s interpretation of the state’s Consumer Protection Act is unconstitutionally vague.
Amazon asks judge to toss claims it profits from illegal, addictive social casino apps
Last month, Amazon filed a motion to dismiss a class action lawsuit claiming the company profits from addictive social casino apps that are illegal under Washington state gambling laws.
The class action lawsuit claims Amazon knows the social casino apps are illegal under state gambling laws and aggressively markets the apps for download on consumers’ devices.
Amazon argues it did not create the allegedly illegal apps and is therefore protected under the Communications Decency Act.
Appeals court rules Amazon not liable for consumer deaths
Also last month, a Washington state appeals court reversed a lower court’s decision that the families of two men who died by suicide using chemicals sold by Amazon can pursue claims against the company.
The three-judge panel determined the Washington Product Liability Act does not impose a duty on sellers to protect against intentional misuse of a product.
The judges ruled Amazon was not liable for the deaths since the circumstances of the suicides broke the chain of causation.
For suicide help, call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 800-273-8255 or visit the Suicide Prevention Lifeline website.
Power banks sold on Amazon recalled over overheating concerns
Portable charger company Charmast issued a recall last month for more than 480,000 power banks sold on Amazon over concerns they could overheat and catch fire.
The recall involves about 488,000 model W1056 recCharmast power banks sold on Amazon between December 2018-September 2024 for $14-$25.
Charmast says it received 44 reports of the recalled power banks expanding, igniting, melting, overheating or smoking, including four reports of burn injuries.
Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled power banks and contact Charmast to receive instructions on how to obtain a full refund, according to the recall notice.
Speakers sold on Amazon recalled over battery concerns
Chinese electronics manufacturer Anker issued a recall last month for some of its speakers sold on Amazon over concerns their batteries could overheat, posing a fire hazard.
The recall involves around 69,000 Anker Soundcore (A3102) and PowerConf Bluetooth (A3302) speakers sold in the United States and about 9,764 sold in Canada.
Anker says it received 33 reports of overheating incidents involving the recalled speakers, with some involving smoking and small fires, leading to one minor burn injury.
Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled speakers and ensure they are powered off and not connected to any external power source or charger, the recall notice states.
Amazon confirms employee data leaked on hacking forum
In November, Amazon confirmed a threat actor leaked employee data allegedly compromised during the MOVEit file transfer system data breach in May 2023.
The company confirmed the leak after a threat actor called Nam3L3ss published more than 2.8 million lines of Amazon employee data on a hacking forum.
The leaked Amazon employee data included names, email addresses, contact info and building locations, among other things.
Have you been affected by an Amazon data breach, class action lawsuit or recall? Let us know in the comments.
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please add me as this has happened to me when ordering and delivering by uses and ups. When com0lain to customer service, was told that it was their policy to dothis.
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