Originally published at: https://boingboing.net/2018/04/23/want-to-review-comeys-book-o.html
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The butthurt is strong out on the MAGA/alt-right ranges.
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On the one hand, I think this is a move in the right direction. But on the other hand, I hope that other filters are moving in place to catch purchases by the publisher. Not because of this particular book, mind you, but to cut down on the knock-offs that have exploited the Amazon marketplace.
As for the book itself, well, I have no opinion, as I have no intent of buying it. Maybe read it at a library, should the library stock it – and slim chance of that, I am in Germany.
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Only “verified buyers” of the book via Amazon are allowed to post,
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Wait… you mean Amazon lets you review books you haven’t bought, and most likely haven’t read? Except Comey’s book? And we’re supposed to be upset about the latter?
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I can see the case for letting people review products they bought elsewhere or received as gifts. In this situation the cost outweighed the benefits.
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If there’s one word Alex hates, its “verified”
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That’s called winning pains.
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Yeah, pretty much. Reviews from people who actually bought the book will have a “Verified purchase” greeblie on it. It’s not JUST Comey’s book, though - they’ve done so for a lot of controversial books. For example, they cut off reviews on Fire and Fury after the alt-right tried to review-bomb it, and on Clinton’s What Happened after leftists tried to review bomb it. It’s not uncommon, it’s just the first time people have really sat up and taken notice.
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I have concerns about the survival of democracy in a world where all of your media consumption is tracked to the point that this type of verification is possible. Of course, it’s already happening, but I still think it’s problematic. At least they’re only checking to see if your account bought the book. They aren’t (yet) restricting reviews to people who’ve read at least 15% of the book on their Kindles.
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As someone who prefers to purchase books and ebooks from B&N, I’m really annoyed that I can no longer leave book reviews for Amazon patrons.
Oh Alex, you simply must share which brand of toupee adhesive you use!
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Is this to keep the left from slandering Comey for his handling of the Clinton investigation, or the right from slandering Comey for the Trump investigation?
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Honestly, Amazon shouldn’t allow reviews of anything unless it’s a verified purchase.
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You have concerns about a bookseller being able to verify that the account posting a review was one that bought the book from that self-same bookseller?
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It’s not a new policy for every book, just a policy they use when there are likely to be review brigades.
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Yes.
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I think it’s a relic from the early days, when buying books online was still a novelty. Verification came only after exploitation.
Amazing to think of what Amazon was like back in the beginning, isn’t it?
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that’s simply not what people do with a fainting couch.
a Prime idea.
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