English author, filmmaker, and prankster Oobah Butler used Amazon.com Inc. AMZN to create a top-selling energy drink on the platform using discarded urine bottles allegedly from Amazon delivery drivers.
What Happened: Butler collected urine-filled bottles from Amazon fulfillment centers across the globe, as revealed on Vice.
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Butler says he did this to highlight the intense pressure that Amazon delivery drivers are put under. Something as uncontrollable as urination is also a problem for these drivers since stopping to pee adds to delays, and they risk being fired.
Female drivers, in particular, reported suffering from urinary tract infections due to holding in their urine for extended periods. A dispatch manager confirmed the urine-filled bottles were indeed from Amazon drivers.
Butler cheekily named the energy drink "Release Energy" with even more subtle yet eye-catching graphics. He marketed the drink as caffeine-free and clearly displayed its chemical makeup, which is that of human urine.
Despite this, Amazon's algorithm categorized the drink as an energy drink. Butler called in help from some of his friends to buy the drink in quick succession to trick the algorithm, and it eventually worked – Release Energy drink jumped to the #1 bestseller.
However, this was short-lived, as Amazon eventually removed the product listing. "Safety is a top priority for Amazon and we require all products offered in our store to comply with applicable laws and regulations," the company said.
Why It Matters: Butler undertook the stunt to highlight the growing concerns about Amazon’s working conditions, particularly for its delivery drivers.
The company has faced increasing scrutiny over the pressure it puts on drivers to meet demanding targets, leading to allegations of unsafe and inhumane working conditions.
It also highlights that the Amazon algorithm can sometimes be very easily fooled before it eventually realizes its mistake.
Image Credits – Shutterstock
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