Artist Statement about Amazon
On the morning of January 7, 2026 I became aware that my entire shop had been scrubbed by Amazon’s AI, and now all of my products are listed on the platform (many at an incorrect price). If you click on any of them, theoretically it does take you to this website to make the purchase, but I have absolutely no doubt that Amazon is taking that data and using it for other purposes, which I absolutely do not consent to (as a whole I do not consent to this program at all, and was never given any opportunity to opt in/out of it), or voice my public opinion on it.
In fact, I was told that if a purchase WAS made from someone clicking on the "Shop Direct" link it creates a temporary Amazon email for the user, which means they are simply shopping on my site without becoming an actual future SUPPORTER of the site or my art. At a time where Social Media platforms are progressively dampening my organic reach despite thousands of followers on multiple platforms over the MANY years I have been selling my art, my monthly Newsletter Email is VITAL to keeping my online shop going (shoppers at my store both online and in person are automatically signed up to get my Newsletter if they provide a valid email, but are always given the chance to opt out/unsubscribe should they choose).
Also, by Amazon scrubbing my site and listing it with other products with a "creepy kawaii" tagline, it visibly cheapens my brand, especially when my hand drawn art is listed next to scores of AI Slop products. Everything on my site has been illustrated by me, and even my plush begin as illustrated "blueprints" of my ideas to show exactly how it needs to look in a 3D fashion. It makes me sick to see the things I work so hard on listed next to something that was clearly just someone's soulless prompt that was ran through a program. And yes, I have had my art scrapped and fed into AI programs in the past, which I had to take time out of my very busy schedule to try to get THAT removed before it caused too much damage to my brand.
I’m not the only one affected either, several artist friends of mine have already reported that their shops have also been scrubbed without their consent, and no doubt they are also struggling with the reality of the theft like I am doing today. I hope to spread awareness about Amazon's AI scrapping program so others like me who maybe aren't online as much will find out and take appropriate future actions.
