Amazon Book Destruction and AI Training
A series of reports reveal Amazon using rare books for AI training by destroying them at its facilities.
July 2026
Bookseller Receives Large Order on Biblio Marketplace
In July, a bookseller received a large order of around 1,000 books on the marketplace Biblio. 404 Media placed an Apple AirTag in one of the books to monitor its destination.
Source ↗Booksellers reported historical spike in sales due to AI companies
Booksellers reported a historical spike in sales starting in the past year. They suspected AI companies were acquiring books for training data.
Source ↗Bookseller received large order of 1,000 books on Biblio
A bookseller reported receiving a very large order of around 1,000 books on Biblio. The seller agreed to place an Apple AirTag in one of the books.
Source ↗AI Companies Plan to Scan and Destroy Millions of Books
Documents surfaced detailing a plan by AI companies to scan millions of old books. This process is reportedly intended to involve the destruction of the physical books during the scanning procedure.
Source ↗August 2026
Booksellers Suspect AI Firms Are Destroying Rare Books
Booksellers expressed suspicion regarding AI firms purchasing rare books. The suspicion suggests these firms may subsequently destroy the acquired books.
Source ↗Amazon VGT3 in Vegas Scans and Cuts Books
An Amazon employee at the VGT3 facility in Las Vegas reported that the facility scans books. Some employees are assigned tasks involving cutting books.
Source ↗404 Media tracks Amazon's book acquisition for AI training
404 Media tracked a rare book shipment to an Amazon warehouse in Las Vegas, Nevada. The investigation revealed Amazon's book buying operation used for AI training data.
Source ↗Amazon facility VGT3 destroys printed books for AI scanning
Amazon employees at the VGT3 warehouse in Las Vegas receive massive shipments of printed books. These books are cut and destroyed during the process of scanning them for AI training.
Source ↗404 Media Tracks Rare Book to Amazon AI Facility
404 Media tracked a rare book using a tracking device. The book was ultimately delivered to an Amazon warehouse in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Source ↗Amazon Employees Destroy Books at Las Vegas Warehouse
Amazon employees at the Las Vegas warehouse cut the bindings off massive shipments of printed books. This action facilitates faster scanning of the books for AI training data.
Source ↗Amazon VGT3 Facility Scans and Destroys Books
Amazon employees at the VGT3 facility in Las Vegas receive massive shipments of printed books. These books are cut and destroyed during the scanning process for AI training data.
Source ↗Amazon Destroys Books at Las Vegas Warehouse
Amazon employees at the Las Vegas warehouse receive massive shipments of printed books. These books are cut and destroyed during the process to allow for quick scanning for AI training.
Source ↗Amazon confirmed purchasing books for AI development
An Amazon spokesperson confirmed that the company purchases books through commercial channels. This acquisition is stated to help develop and improve the products and services used by Amazon customers.
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