Amazon.com censoring GLBT and erotic books

[erictheblue]

This just came across in a LGBT e-mail list I'm on:

"I think it's [fixing the de-listing] happening bit by bit. GIOVANNI'S ROOM and THE WELL OF
LONELINESS are still de-ranked, but RUBYFRUIT JUNGLE, which was de-ranked this morning, is now re-ranked. Joe Kort still has one book de-ranked, one ranked. I've since read that books on sexuality in general were de-ranked, and THE JOY OF SEX is unranked, and one edition
of FANNY HILL is ranked, and another is not.

I'm now seeing reports that Amazon's automated system was a victim of a mischievous or malicious robo-attack from outside. I've seen statements from people claiming to be former Amazon employees who express disbelief that any such policy would be enacted, and supposedly there's some blog with a confession, with the trickster actually giving out the code he used to hack Amazon's system. Don't know if it's genuine or not."

[Lady Renae]

Either the attack story is true or they're pulling a fast one to salvage PR. A number of websites I go to have been waging an aggressive anti-Amazon campaign since the news broke. I imagine they've probably already lost a fair amount of business because of it (though they may have gained an equal amount of fundie business...)

[Angel Kaida]

I wouldn't put it past some shithead from outside the company to attack the site with such intentions, especially given they're probably all stirred up about the states that are approving gay marriage right now. But then again, I also wouldn't put it past some shithead employee to go all Moral Guardian for the same reason.

But also, that incredibly stupid official response to the writer who asked what was happening does point to intentionality within the company.

I can't decide what or whom to be pissed at!

[antichrist]

Who says the shithead has to be from outside the business? Could be somebody on the inside decided that their religion trumps the customers rights.