Kindle has a big problem, so I'm leaving it behind.

Summary

This video discusses the alarming power Amazon wields over digital content, exemplified by the 2009 Kindle deletion of '1984' and a 2012 account suspension that lost a user's digital library. It raises concerns about Amazon's control over ebooks and audiobooks, the licensing model that restricts ownership rights, and the impact on authors and the publishing industry. The speaker shares personal experiences and explores alternatives to Amazon, advocating for localism, digital self-storage, and supporting authors through alternative platforms.

Takeaways

• 📖 Amazon has the power to delete digital content from users' Kindles, as seen when they removed '1984' from devices in 2009 due to licensing issues.
• ⚠️ Amazon reserves the right to refuse service, terminate accounts, and remove content at their discretion, which could result in users losing access to their purchased digital content.
• 📚 When buying an ebook on Amazon, customers are purchasing a license to access the book, not ownership of a physical or permanent digital copy.
• 📜 Changes to content on platforms like Amazon can occur, including revisions or updates without the user's consent, such as book covers being altered to reflect new media, like TV adaptations.
• 📵 Losing access to your Amazon account means potentially losing access to all purchased digital content, including ebooks and audiobooks.
• 🚫 Amazon has the ability to modify or restrict features over time, such as discontinuing the option to lend Kindle books to others, as they did in 2022.
• 📉 Amazon's monopoly-like power harms the publishing industry and authors, as the company enforces exclusivity agreements and takes large cuts from digital sales.
• 📦 The user is exploring alternatives to Amazon for purchasing ebooks and audiobooks, such as Libro.fm and Bookshop.org, to support independent bookstores and author-friendly platforms.
• 🌍 The speaker emphasizes the importance of localism by supporting local bookstores and storing digital content locally to avoid reliance on Amazon’s cloud storage.
• 💬 The video encourages spreading awareness about the drawbacks of Amazon's digital ecosystem and its negative impact on consumers and the publishing industry, advocating for individual action.

Q & A

What was the incident involving Amazon and the deletion of '1984' from customers' Kindles?

In 2009, Amazon deleted copies of '1984' from customers' Kindles because the publisher who had listed the ebook did not have the rights to it. This raised concerns about Amazon's power to remove content from devices without customer consent.

Why was the 2009 '1984' deletion alarming to customers?

It was alarming because it revealed that Amazon had both the power and the legal right to not only deliver content to customers' Kindles but also to take it away, raising concerns about digital ownership.

What happened to a woman in 2012 when her Amazon account was suspended?

In 2012, a woman lost access to all of her digital content when her Amazon account was suspended for violating the terms of service. Despite contacting Amazon, she was told that she should not create a new account, leaving her unable to recover her purchases.

What does Amazon's terms of service state regarding customer accounts and content?

Amazon's terms of service state that the company reserves the right to refuse service, terminate accounts, remove or edit content, or cancel orders at its sole discretion, meaning that customers can lose access to their digital purchases if their account is suspended.

What rights do customers have when they purchase an ebook from Amazon?

When customers purchase an ebook from Amazon, they are not buying a copy of the book but rather a license to access it. This gives them a limited set of rights compared to owning a physical book, and Amazon retains control over the digital content.

How does Amazon's control over digital content affect customers' rights?

Amazon can change or remove content from customers' libraries, modify terms of service, and revoke access to ebooks or audiobooks. This limits the customers' control over the digital content they pay for.

What example did the speaker give about a change Amazon made to their purchased content?

The speaker noticed that the cover of 'The Eye of the World,' part of 'The Wheel of Time' series, had been changed on their Kindle without their consent. The new cover advertised Amazon Prime's TV show adaptation of the series, illustrating how Amazon can modify purchased content.

What issues arise from Amazon's near-monopoly status in digital content distribution?

Amazon's dominance in the ebook and audiobook markets allows it to take large cuts from sales and enforce exclusivity agreements on authors, reducing competition and limiting the options available to consumers. This also negatively affects authors' earnings.

What steps does the speaker plan to take to address concerns about Amazon's control over digital content?

The speaker plans to explore alternatives to Amazon for buying ebooks and audiobooks, support local bookstores, and store digital content locally rather than relying on Amazon to manage their library.

Why is it important to explore alternatives to Amazon for purchasing digital content?

Exploring alternatives is important to avoid the limitations Amazon imposes on ownership and to support authors and businesses that offer more customer-friendly policies. It also helps reduce dependence on a company that can unilaterally change or revoke access to content.