What the Motorola Amazon redirect issue is and why it matters
The Motorola Amazon redirect issue is a smartphone software problem where certain Motorola devices routed Amazon Shopping app launches through affiliate-tracked web links, allowing third parties to log and monetize user activity without explicit consent. Users first noticed something strange when tapping the Amazon app icon in the app drawer: instead of opening Amazon directly, the phone briefly launched Chrome, loaded a URL tied to fashion influencer Kira Abboud’s kira-abboud.com domain, and only then switched into the Amazon app. Investigations traced the behavior to Motorola’s pre-installed Smart Feed app after version 2.03.0070, which was working with ad-tech firm Device Native. Because this behavior happened at the launcher and system-app level, it raised concerns about app hijacking privacy, silent tracking, and how easily smartphone affiliate links can be injected into everyday actions.
How the affiliate redirect scheme worked in practice
In affected phones, the Motorola Amazon redirect only appeared when users opened Amazon from the app drawer, not from home screen shortcuts, widgets, or the recent apps list. Tapping the icon triggered the Smart Feed–powered launcher to send a request through kira-abboud.com, where an Amazon affiliate code such as “sramz-kff-008-20” was added before passing the request into the Amazon Shopping app. Network logs also showed background traffic to devicenative.com, a domain tied to Device Native, a partner focused on on-device advertising and monetization systems. According to Smartprix, these redirects “included an Amazon affiliate tracking code tied to fashion influencer Kira Abboud.” In effect, any purchases made after such a launch could be attributed to that affiliate link, generating commission and turning a simple app tap into a silent revenue opportunity embedded in the phone’s software.
Motorola’s explanation and the unanswered questions
Once the Motorola Amazon redirect behavior was widely reported, the company issued a statement acknowledging the problem and attributing it to a configuration mistake. Motorola said it had worked with Device Native to build an “app search and suggestion experience” for the Moto App Launcher, intended to help users quickly find and launch installed apps. The company claims a routing configuration error caused some Amazon Shopping launches to be “routed through a web tracking link before opening the app” and that the behavior was “unintended” and has now been corrected. However, Motorola has not fully explained how affiliate infrastructure and a specific affiliate code ended up in this path at all, or why Smart Feed was able to intercept and modify launches of a third-party app in the first place, which continues to fuel this Motorola controversy explained by critics as more than a simple bug.
Privacy and trust implications for Motorola users
Even if the behavior came from buggy code, the episode highlights serious app hijacking privacy concerns. At a minimum, the Smart Feed component altered the path between a user’s tap and the Amazon app, inserting affiliate tracking without clear disclosure or opt-in. That means shopping sessions starting from these hijacked launches could be logged for affiliate analytics and commissions, linking device usage to monetized behavior. Because the redirect happened at a system-like level and still ended in the normal Amazon interface, many people may never have noticed beyond a flickering browser window. It also shows how smartphone affiliate links can be embedded deep in launchers and feeds, where users expect neutral behavior rather than commercial steering. For privacy-conscious users, this raises questions about what other preloaded components might do and how often routing “mistakes” can turn into data and revenue flows they never agreed to.
How to check your phone and protect yourself
You can verify whether your Motorola device was affected by watching how Amazon opens. From the app drawer, tap the Amazon Shopping icon and see if a browser briefly flashes before the app appears; any visible browser tab or kira-abboud.com URL is a red flag. If you want to be cautious, go to Settings > Apps > Smart Feed (or similar) and disable it; Smartprix reports that this immediately stops redirects without affecting normal phone use. You can also clear Smart Feed data and reboot. Keep your apps and launcher updated from the official store so you get Motorola’s routing fix. Finally, regularly monitor strange behavior such as unexpected browser launches or URLs when opening apps, as these may signal unwanted smartphone affiliate links or tracking paths that deserve closer attention or a switch to a different launcher altogether.