Motorola is facing controversy after users and tech publications alleged that some Motorola smartphones were secretly redirecting Amazon app launches through affiliate links, potentially generating commission revenue without users’ knowledge. The issue reportedly involves a pre-installed system app called “Smart Feed.”
How The Alleged Redirect Works
According to reports, when users open the Amazon app from the app drawer on certain Motorola phones, the device briefly opens a browser window before redirecting back to Amazon. During this process, an affiliate tracking code is allegedly injected into the session.
The behaviour was first highlighted by a Motorola Razr 60 Ultra user on Reddit, who noticed a suspicious URL flash before Amazon opened normally. The user later traced the activity to Motorola’s Smart Feed app using Android debugging logs.
Tech Websites Replicated The Behaviour
Tech publication 9to5Google reportedly replicated the issue on its own Razr Fold device. According to the report, the redirect only occurs when Amazon is opened from the app drawer and not from a homescreen shortcut, making it difficult for most users to notice.
Investigators said the traffic appeared to pass through a third-party advertising-related domain called “devicenative.com” before redirecting users to Amazon.
Reports also mentioned a strange connection to a website linked to fashion influencer “@kirasfashionfinds,” though the affiliate codes reportedly did not match the influencer’s publicly shared affiliate IDs.
Latest Smart Feed Update Under Suspicion
The reports suggest the issue may have appeared after a recent Smart Feed app update. Devices running older versions of the app reportedly did not show the same behaviour.
Interestingly, some Motorola devices with the same Smart Feed version reportedly did not reproduce the issue consistently, raising questions about whether the behaviour was intentionally introduced, triggered accidentally, or linked to a third-party ad SDK integration.
Motorola Yet To Officially Respond
As of now, Motorola has not issued a public explanation regarding the allegations.
Security and privacy experts say the controversy is serious because users expect system-level apps on smartphones to behave transparently and not alter shopping sessions or inject affiliate tracking without consent.
How Users Can Stop The Redirect
Reports suggest users can stop the behaviour by disabling the Smart Feed app through Android settings:
Settings → Apps → Smart Feed → Disable
Tech publications claim disabling the app immediately prevents the affiliate redirects.
Bigger Privacy Questions Emerging
The controversy has sparked wider concerns around pre-installed smartphone software, hidden advertising integrations, and user privacy. Critics argue that even if the redirects were caused by a third-party advertising service rather than Motorola directly, system apps should not silently modify user actions without clear disclosure.
The incident also highlights growing concerns about bloatware, ad SDKs, and monetization systems embedded deep within smartphone software ecosystems.
Summary
Motorola has been accused of secretly redirecting Amazon app launches through affiliate links using a pre-installed Smart Feed system app. Users and tech websites claim the software briefly opens a browser and injects affiliate tracking codes before redirecting to Amazon. Motorola has not responded publicly, while privacy concerns over hidden smartphone software integrations continue growing.
