Amazon is investigating reports of employees leaking confidential internal data and offering other services to sellers on its e-commerce platform in exchange for bribes, the Wall Street Journal reported Sunday.
Employees at the internet retailer are allegedly selling sales and search information to independent merchants selling products on the site, giving them an edge over competitors in violation of company policy, the newspaper reported. Brokers working as intermediaries for Amazon employees are also offering to delete negative reviews and restore banned accounts, the newspaper said, citing anonymous sellers, brokers and others familiar with the probe.
The investigation began in May after the company was tipped off to the practice taking place in China, where it’s said to be most prevalent, the Journal reported.