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Motorola phones have started hijacking the Amazon app to insert affiliate codes

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Re: Motorola phones have started hijacking the Amazon app to insert affiliate codes

#21
post #12

I used to choose Motorola devices for a long time but since 2 years when I bought Edge 30 Fusion I started to notice they automatically (without my knowledge) add 3 stupid apps or games about two times a month :/ There is no way to stop it. My kids phones are stuffed with this sh*t.

Luckily there is a mobile phone OS and hardware that isn't produced by the world's largest advertising company, and furthermore doesn't allow two different corporations to be involved in the core OS of the device.

Re: Motorola phones have started hijacking the Amazon app to insert affiliate codes

#22
post #12

I used to choose Motorola devices for a long time but since 2 years when I bought Edge 30 Fusion I started to notice they automatically (without my knowledge) add 3 stupid apps or games about two times a month :/ There is no way to stop it. My kids phones are stuffed with this sh*t.

> There is no way to stop it.

There are ways. All the apps that install this crap can be disabled through Android's app manager, no fancy method required. (Of course updates can bring them back... But "luckily" Motorola isn't too keen on providing those for their products).

Some examples of the apps to look for:

- App Box

- Games

- MotoApps

- Moto App Manager

- Live lock screen

The active adware apps depends on your region and career. In some region Motorola doesn't push adware at all.

Personally by just disabling those (and similar sounding crap) I've never had adware sneakily installed.

For Moto G or lower tiers Edge I can begrudgingly accept that it's part of the deal... But I would be livid if they did this to my $1500 phone, which is why I refuse to risk getting a razr. Whether you want to fight your phone maker and keep using their product is up to you.

Let's hope that the grapheneos partnership plays off in our favor next year!

Re: Motorola phones have started hijacking the Amazon app to insert affiliate codes

#23

To think I was worried about buying a Xiaomi tablet while already using a Motorola. Gonna flash a rom on the Xiaomi anyway, but all oems are doing this type of stuff.

All Android OEMs are "doing this type of stuff."

Re: Motorola phones have started hijacking the Amazon app to insert affiliate codes

#24
post #12

I used to choose Motorola devices for a long time but since 2 years when I bought Edge 30 Fusion I started to notice they automatically (without my knowledge) add 3 stupid apps or games about two times a month :/ There is no way to stop it. My kids phones are stuffed with this sh*t.

Luckily there is a mobile phone OS and hardware that isn't produced by the world's largest advertising company, and furthermore doesn't allow two different corporations to be involved in the core OS of the device.

You're right but we can't easily get Huawei devices in North America.

Re: Motorola phones have started hijacking the Amazon app to insert affiliate codes

#25
post #12

I used to choose Motorola devices for a long time but since 2 years when I bought Edge 30 Fusion I started to notice they automatically (without my knowledge) add 3 stupid apps or games about two times a month :/ There is no way to stop it. My kids phones are stuffed with this sh*t.

You are in luck: LineageOS supports many Motorola devices, including the Edge 30.

Re: Motorola phones have started hijacking the Amazon app to insert affiliate codes

#26
post #10

> In further digging, we noticed that the URL the phone opens up is “kira-abboud.com,” a website that references fashion influencer “@kirasfashionfinds.” Notably, this exact URL isn’t listed anywhere on Abboud’s social media, and the affiliate codes don’t match up either. The redirect coming from Motorola phones is using Amazona affiliate code “sramz-kff-008-20” which is completely different from any of the codes we…

My guess is a rogue employee who hopes they can get away with this stuff for years till caught...

That employees cousin probably does social media for Abboud...

Re: Motorola phones have started hijacking the Amazon app to insert affiliate codes

#28
Hmm, this thread and the reports of shady practices make me wonder if this will affect the partnership with GrapheneOS[1]. It seems that such things shouldn't really happen on a device where security is a top priority, whether intentional or not.

1: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47214645

Re: Motorola phones have started hijacking the Amazon app to insert affiliate codes

#30
post #22
post #12

I used to choose Motorola devices for a long time but since 2 years when I bought Edge 30 Fusion I started to notice they automatically (without my knowledge) add 3 stupid apps or games about two times a month :/ There is no way to stop it. My kids phones are stuffed with this sh*t.

> There is no way to stop it. There are ways. All the apps that install this crap can be disabled through Android's app manager, no fancy method required. (Of course updates can bring them back... But "luckily" Motorola isn't too keen on providing those for their products). Some examples of the apps to look for: - App Box - Games - MotoApps - Moto App Manager - Live lock screen The active adware apps depends on your…

Strange, I've never gotten any moto apps on my cheap Moto G. I don't sign into any of their crap, but I don't recall doing anything else....
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