Amazon ends creepy program that sent samples based on purchase history

guest · Nov 27, 2019

Amazon ends creepy program that sent samples based on purchase history
It was meant to be helpful, but also highlighted Amazon's tracking
November 26, 2019
https://www.engadget.com/2019/11/26/amazon-ends-free-sample-program/

Amazon is ending a Product Sampling program that sent free samples of cosmetics, protein bars and other goods based on your shopping habits.
While the company didn't explain why it was closing the machine learning-based program in a statement to CNBC, it did say the initiative would shut down sometime in 2020. It's not hard to see reasons why Amazon might shutter the program, mind you.

Product Sampling is ostensibly a convenience -- you can try items you'd otherwise never consider. However, it also serves as a physical reminder of Amazon's far-reaching data collection.

There's also the question of whether or not partners get their money's worth. Participating companies have to pay $2 per sample on top of the costs of the samples themselves, and there's no guarantee that cost will translate to more sales.
It might just be more practical to lean on conventional advertising and retail samples than to ship goods and hope for the best.
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CNBC: Amazon kills program that sent shoppers free items based on prior purchases

The news was first reported by Business Insider.
While Amazon likened it to the site’s product recommendation tools, the program raised privacy concerns among some consumers who have grown increasingly wary of data mining and targeted advertising across the web.
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