Amazon hit with allegations of selling dangerous drugs and violating labor laws

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Amazon allegations overview: 

• Who: Amazon is the target of several recent lawsuits. 
• Why: The lawsuits include claims Amazon deceptively sold illegal drugs and unlawfully collected data from individuals who had to do workplace COVID-19 screenings, among other things.
• Where: Consumers across the country filed lawsuits against Amazon. 

A number of allegations involving Amazon have recently been in the news, with lawsuits alleging unlawful worker data collection, deceptive selling illegal drug sale, sale of suicide chemicals and violations of labor laws. 

Amazon Web Services accused of improperly collecting biometric data 

A consumer filed a class action lawsuit against Amazon Web Services last month over claims the company improperly collected, used and stored the data of individuals who used a Turing Shield device for a workplace COVID-19 screening. 

Amazon contracts with Turing to host biometric data the company collects via Turing Shield devices during COVID-19 screenings and for software services like Amazon’s image recognition technology, according to the Amazon class action. 

The consumer behind the class action lawsuit argues Amazon wrongfully profits from the biometric data it unlawfully collects from employees completing COVID-19 screenings. 

The Amazon allegations also include violation of the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act. 

Amazon accused of selling illegal, defective therapeutic dietary supplement drugs

A pair of consumers filed a separate class action lawsuit against Amazon earlier this month, arguing amazon.com promoted and sold therapeutic dietary supplement drugs that were both illegal and defective. 

The consumers claim the U.S. Food and Drug Administration did not approve the therapeutic dietary supplement drugs Amazon sold, therefore putting consumers in harm’s way by not including a disclaimer. 

“Without the disclaimer, consumers are dangerously left with the misperception that products claiming to help their health in some way are therapeutic and safe and reviewed and approved as such,” the Amazon class action states.

Judge denies Amazon’s motion to dismiss claims it sold suicide chemical 

Last month, a federal judge in Washington ruled against Amazon’s motion to dismiss claims that the company sold two men sodium nitrite powder that they later intentionally ingested, causing them to die. 

The families of the deceased individuals, 17-year-old Tyler Muhleman and 27-year-old Mikael Scott, who allegedly purchased the HIMedia sodium nitrite product from Amazon, filed the complaint. 

It accuses Amazon of owning the wholesale inventory of HIMedia sodium nitrate, with the families arguing its alleged ownership makes it responsible for both the marketing of the product and its shipment. 

For suicide help, call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at (800) 273-8255 or visit the Suicide Prevention Lifeline website.

Amazon Labor Union files labor complaint against Amazon over captive-audience meetings

Also in January, the Amazon Labor Union (ALU) filed a labor complaint on behalf of workers at a company warehouse in Moreno, California, who argue they have been forced to attend captive-audience meetings. 

The ALU argues that Amazon violates the law by allegedly forcing its employees to attend the meetings, which are meant to discourage workers from unionizing.

“Within the previous six months, the Employer has interfered with, restrained and coerced its employees in the exercise of (protected rights) by maintaining work rules that prevent or discourage employees from engaging in protected concerted activities,” the Amazon complaint states. 

Amazon last-mile delivery service Regional Express accused of failing to pay its drivers what they are owed

A class action lawsuit indirectly involving Amazon was filed in December against delivery provider Regional Express over claims it failed to pay its drivers the entirety of their owed compensation. 

The individual behind the complaint claims Regional Express, a last-mile delivery service for Amazon, and its subsidiaries failed to pay its non-exempt workers for mandatory time they had to work before and after their scheduled shifts. 

The plaintiff also accuses Regional Express of failing to pay its drivers for missed meal and rest breaks, arguing he routinely worked more than 40 hours per week without receiving overtime.

What do you think of the Amazon allegations? Let us know in the comments! 

Read About More Class Action Lawsuits & Class Action Settlements:

• Amazon must turn over ergonomic data in labor department safety issue probe
• Amazon class action alleges company unlawfully, deceptively sells illegal drugs
• Amazon class action alleges company collected, stored employee data during COVID screenings
• Amazon book antitrust lawsuits revived; company seeks dismissal