Motorola is facing scrutiny after reports emerged that its phones may be hijacking Amazon app launches to insert affiliate links — a tactic eerily reminiscent of the Honey browser extension controversy. According to a detailed investigation by 9to5Google, the issue affects certain Motorola devices running the Smart Feed app, a pre-installed launcher that provides news and app shortcuts.

The discovery was made by a Reddit user who decided to sniff network packets while opening the Amazon app from the app drawer. The user noticed a brief redirect to a browser before the Amazon app fully loaded. The redirect appeared to insert an affiliate tracking code into the URL, meaning Motorola (or a partner) could earn commissions on any purchases made during that session. The affiliate code was traced back to a fashion influencer’s name, though the connection remains unclear.

This practice, often called “affiliate link hijacking” or “cookie stuffing,” is not new. It gained notoriety with PayPal’s Honey browser extension, which was accused of overwriting affiliate cookies when users applied coupon codes. The difference here is that Motorola appears to be doing it at the system level, through a pre-installed app that cannot be easily removed — only disabled.

How the Hijack Works

When a user taps the Amazon shortcut from the app drawer (or possibly from other launcher shortcuts), the Smart Feed app intercepts the intent. Instead of directly opening the Amazon app, it first launches a web browser that loads a URL containing a referral parameter. The browser then immediately redirects to the Amazon app — a process so fast that many users might not notice. However, the affiliate cookie is already set, so any purchase made within a certain window attributes commission to Motorola’s affiliate ID.

The Redditor used a packet sniffer like Wireshark to capture the HTTP requests. The logs showed a GET request to an Amazon affiliate link with a tag parameter, followed by a 302 redirect to the Amazon app’s deep link. The affiliate ID was not one registered to Amazon’s official associates program for Motorola, but rather something tied to a third-party influencer. This raises questions about whether Motorola is selling this access or if it’s a rogue implementation within the Smart Feed app.

Later, Motorola issued a statement calling the behavior “unintended” and promised to fix it in a future update. However, the company did not explain how such a redirect could appear accidentally. Critics argue that the implementation was too deliberate to be a bug.

Background: The Honey Scandal and Affiliate Hijacking

To understand why this matters, we need to revisit the Honey controversy. Honey was a popular browser extension that automatically applied coupon codes at checkout. But in late 2024, investigations revealed that Honey would replace affiliate links with its own, stealing commissions from content creators and influencers who rely on affiliate marketing. The backlash was enormous, leading to lawsuits and a permanent stain on PayPal’s reputation.

Now, Motorola is accused of a similar scheme, but at the OS level. Pre-installed apps have privileged access; they can intercept intents, monitor app usage, and even modify network requests. If a manufacturer decides to monetize app launches, users have little recourse beyond disabling the offending app. In this case, Motorola advises going to Settings > Apps > Smart Feed > Disable. Doing so stops the redirect immediately without affecting other phone functions.

The use of an affiliate ID tied to a fashion influencer raises additional concerns. Is Motorola partnering with individual influencers to generate revenue? Or is the affiliate ID itself a red herring? The influencer’s name has not been publicly disclosed due to privacy concerns, but it suggests a level of complexity that goes beyond simple ad injection.

Implications for Privacy and Trust

This incident highlights the ongoing tension between smartphone manufacturers and user privacy. Pre-installed apps are often seen as bloatware, but they can also be used for data collection and monetization. For example, Samsung’s Bixby and Xiaomi’s MIUI have faced similar accusations of injecting ads into system apps. Motorola, once praised for its near-stock Android experience, now joins that list.

Users who value privacy should be vigilant. Disabling Smart Feed is a temporary fix, but the underlying issue — that an OEM can intercept app launches — suggests a deeper vulnerability. Motorola could be collecting data on which apps you open, and when, and then using that to trigger affiliate redirects. Even if the intent was “unintended,” the capability exists.

Furthermore, the redirect to a browser before opening the Amazon app could pose a security risk. If a malicious actor gains control of the affiliate server, they could serve phishing pages or malware instead of a simple redirect. While Motorola likely vets its partners, the attack surface is larger than necessary.

What Users Can Do Now

If you own a Motorola phone — especially a recent Razr or Edge model — the easiest fix is to disable Smart Feed. Navigate to Settings > Apps > See all apps > Smart Feed > Disable (or Force Stop and Disable if available). This will remove its ability to intercept app intents. Alternatively, you can use a third-party launcher like Nova Launcher, which does not include such behavior.

It is also wise to clear your browser cookies and app cache before making purchases. This may not undo the affiliate cookie if it was already set, but it can prevent future tracking. Amazon users should also check their affiliate cookie status using browser developer tools or privacy extensions.

Motorola has stated a fix is coming. Until then, users are left with a choice: trust that the redirect is truly unintended, or take matters into their own hands.

As for the fashion influencer angle, no further details have emerged. It remains unclear whether the influencer was aware of their affiliate ID being used, or if it was stolen. The lack of transparency from Motorola is troubling, but not surprising given the sensitivity of the issue.

This story also serves as a reminder that affiliate hijacking can occur anywhere — not just in browser extensions. With the rise of on-device AI and assistants, the potential for similar abuses will only grow. Regulators may need to step in to define clear boundaries for pre-installed software monetization.

In the meantime, Motorola’s reputation takes a hit. The company that once offered a clean, bloat-free Android experience now finds itself defending against accusations of sleazy marketing tactics. Whether intended or not, the perception is damaged, and restoring trust will require more than a simple update.

Source: The Verge News