“Grassroots” anti-Amazon nonprofit turns out to be retailer astroturfing

“Grassroots” anti-Amazon nonprofit turns out to be retailer astroturfing

5 years ago
Anonymous $MUlyiGRWxa

https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2019/09/walmart-oracle-and-mall-owner-simon-behind-grassoots-anti-amazon-org/

It's no secret that retailers who compete with Amazon for consumer dollars want regulators to take a closer look at the way their titanic, globe-spanning rival works. They've openly said so, many times. And yet, three major firms reportedly spent a great deal of time and effort obscuring their ties to a nonprofit that exists to rally support against Amazon.

The nonprofit, called the Free and Fair Markets Initiative, describes itself as "a nonprofit watchdog committed to scrutinizing Amazon’s harmful practices and promoting a fair, modern marketplace that works for all Americans." According to a new report today from The Wall Street Journal, however, the group is funded by rivals, including Walmart, Oracle, and mall-owner Simon, who all have a strong financial interest in dethroning Amazon.