Motorola Phones Reportedly Add Affiliate Codes When Users Open Shopping Apps
Motorola is facing questions after reports claimed that some of its smartphones may be inserting affiliate tracking codes when users open certain shopping apps, including Amazon. The behavior appears to be linked to a preinstalled system app called Motorola Smart Feed, which is included on devices such as the Motorola Edge 70.
Motorola Smart Feed is designed to recommend news, apps, and games, but recent user findings suggest it may also be doing something far less obvious. According to a Reddit user who investigated the app’s activity, Smart Feed monitors when a user launches a shopping app. When it detects this activity, it can redirect the process through a browser page that adds an affiliate code before sending the user back into the shopping app.
In practical terms, a Motorola phone owner may tap the Amazon app as usual, but instead of opening directly, the device briefly launches a browser link containing an affiliate tracking code. That link then opens Amazon, allowing the user to browse and shop normally. If a purchase is made, Motorola may receive a commission from the sale.
The important point for shoppers is that this does not appear to increase product prices. Users are not directly charged more for buying through the app. However, the issue has raised privacy and transparency concerns because many users may not realize that their shopping activity is being routed through affiliate tracking systems.
Reports indicate that this behavior was not present in an earlier version of the Smart Feed app. Version 2.03.0056 reportedly did not generate affiliate links, suggesting that the shopping app redirection feature may have been added more recently.
Another unusual detail is the domain involved in generating the affiliate code. It reportedly references kira-abboud.com, a domain associated with a fashion influencer and with no clear public connection to Motorola. This has made the situation even more confusing, as Motorola has not yet issued an official explanation.
Affiliate marketing itself is common across the internet. Websites, creators, and publishers often earn commissions when users buy products through tracked links. The controversy here is different because the tracking may be happening through a factory-installed phone app without clear notice to the user. That distinction is what has sparked criticism from privacy-conscious smartphone owners.
There may also be a compliance issue. Many affiliate programs have strict rules about how tracking codes can be used, especially when redirects are inserted automatically or without user intent. If the reports are accurate, Motorola’s approach could conflict with the terms of some affiliate networks.
For users who want to stop this behavior, the simplest option appears to be disabling Motorola Smart Feed. This can usually be done through the phone’s system settings by opening the Apps section, locating Motorola Smart Feed, and disabling it. The exact steps may vary depending on the Motorola model and Android version.
The situation highlights a growing concern in the smartphone market: preinstalled apps often operate in the background with permissions and behaviors that users may not fully understand. While brands frequently include recommendation services, app discovery tools, and content feeds, any hidden tracking tied to shopping activity can quickly damage consumer trust.
Until Motorola provides a clear statement, users who own affected devices may want to review their installed system apps and disable services they do not use. For anyone concerned about privacy, app redirects, and affiliate tracking on Android phones, checking background app behavior is becoming an increasingly important part of smartphone security.
