Amazon Applauded for Suing to Protect Users

Amazon was praised for its commitment to protecting the privacy of users in 2010 after refusing a demand to turn over records detailing more than 50 million purchases of North Carolina residents to that state’s Department of Revenue. To protect its customers and their ability to “purchase sensitive or unpopular material,” the company filed suit against the state agency with the support of the ACLU. After a judge ruled against North Carolina, the state ultimately agreed not to demand the titles or other identifying information about books, movies, and similar material. As a result, Amazon was applauded for defending “the free speech and privacy rights of Amazon.com customers.”