Amazon are changing the way you own your Kindle books - you have 10 days to react

Summary

In this video, Olle discusses a significant change Amazon is making regarding Kindle book access, set to take effect on February 26th. Currently, users can download their Kindle books to their PC or Mac, but this option will soon be removed, limiting access to Amazon devices only. Olle highlights concerns over digital ownership, as this move ties readers further into Amazon's ecosystem. He encourages viewers to download their books before the change and shares his own experience of breaking free from Kindle's limitations. The video raises questions about consumer rights and Amazon's growing control over digital purchases.

Takeaways

• 😀 Amazon is changing how Kindle books can be accessed starting February 26th, 2025.
• 😀 As of today, users can download Kindle books to their PCs or Macs for offline storage and backup.
• 😀 After the change, users will only be able to access their Kindle books on Amazon devices like Kindles.
• 😀 This change reflects a broader trend where consumers are losing ownership over digital content they purchase.
• 😀 The removal of the download feature limits users' ability to backup or secure their Kindle purchases independently.
• 😀 There have been past instances where Kindle books were removed from users' devices without consent, highlighting potential issues with ownership.
• 😀 Some books have been subtly edited by publishers, replacing the original versions on users' devices without permission.
• 😀 Users who don't download their books before the deadline will lose access if they ever delete their Amazon account.
• 😀 Amazon's removal of the download option further ties users to the Amazon ecosystem, limiting control over purchased content.
• 😀 To preserve ownership, users can manually download their Kindle books through the 'Manage Your Content and Devices' section on Amazon's website.
• 😀 The speaker expresses discomfort with Amazon's decision, citing a lack of transparency and consumer rights protection.

Q & A

What is the main change Amazon is making regarding Kindle books?

Amazon is removing the ability to download Kindle books onto a PC or Mac. After February 26th, users will only be able to access their Kindle books on Amazon devices like Kindle readers.

Why does the speaker think this change is significant?

The speaker believes this change is important because it erodes the concept of ownership for digital content. It represents a broader trend where consumers lose control over the things they purchase, as they can no longer back up their Kindle books or store them outside of Amazon's ecosystem.

What has been a concern in the past regarding Kindle books and their availability?

There have been instances where Kindle books were removed from the store and people's devices, despite the books being purchased. In some cases, books were re-edited without the buyer's consent, altering the content they originally bought.

How does the speaker compare Kindle book ownership to subscription services like Spotify?

The speaker notes that while subscription services like Spotify are understood to involve paying for access to content without ownership, buying a Kindle book implies full ownership of the book. The removal of download capabilities undermines this concept of ownership.

What steps can Kindle book owners take before the deadline to secure their books?

Before February 26th, users can go to the 'Manage Your Content and Devices' page on Amazon's website, select individual books, and download them via USB to back them up on their PC or Mac.

What does the speaker suggest could be Amazon's motive behind this change?

The speaker speculates that the change may be a strategy to further tie users into Amazon's ecosystem, making it difficult to access their books if they ever choose to delete their Amazon account.

Has Amazon formally announced this change?

No, Amazon has not made a formal announcement about this change. However, it has been reported by websites like The Verge and GoodEReader, and users have started noticing it.

What is the process to download Kindle books before the change takes effect?

To download Kindle books, users should go to 'Manage Your Content and Devices' on Amazon's website, select each book individually, click 'More Actions,' and then choose 'Download and Transfer via USB.'

What are some potential risks of not downloading Kindle books before the change?

If users do not download their books before February 26th, they will no longer be able to back up or access the books outside of Amazon's devices and ecosystem, making them more vulnerable to losing access if their Amazon account is deleted.

How does the speaker feel about the future of their Kindle library?

The speaker expresses frustration and discomfort with the idea that Amazon could remove access to purchased Kindle books in the future, emphasizing that this move undermines consumer rights and control over digital content.