General · 20 August 2026

Amazon's secret warehouse: Ripping spines off books to scan them

Reporters at 404 Media used a hidden Apple tracker to follow about 1,000 books from a mystery buyer to a Las Vegas warehouse. Workers there reportedly rip off the spines to digitally copy the texts, which Amazon says helps improve its services. Amazon refused to say if the data trains its AI models, but developers increasingly need older books to find reliable human writing.

✓ Verified against the source · 60 words · 40 sec

Get the app

More briefs

GeneralPrince Harry faces millions in legal costs after phone-hacking loss WorldUS Treasury boss to detail plans for maximum economic pressure on Iran PoliticsAndy Burnham defends a Home Office guide telling asylum seekers not to rape GeneralSamsung to share $72B in chip profits: Here's how PoliticsReform UK deputy leader defends suspending an activist who criticised Nigel Farage PoliticsEqualities minister says racism and sexism are becoming normal in Britain Browse all stories →