Technology

Amazon replaces specific product names with generic descriptions in order emails

The company cites customer privacy and platform engagement for the update, while users express frustration over expense tracking and convenience.

Updated Sep 2, 2026 · 18:18 UTC1 reports

The short version

Amazon began replacing specific item names with broad category labels in order confirmation emails earlier this summer.
The change affects shoppers, business managers, and users of third-party budgeting software who previously relied on detailed email receipts.
Amazon stated the change aims to improve privacy by reducing data shared outside its platforms and directing shoppers to its app and website.
It remains uncertain whether Amazon plans to keep the policy permanently, having rolled back a similar change enacted in 2020.

Earlier in the summer, Amazon altered its order-related emails and subject lines to display broad category descriptions instead of specific purchased products.[Business Insider]
Amazon stated the update is intended to enhance customer privacy by limiting external data sharing and directing users to its website and app for order details.[Business Insider]
Customers across online forums reported that generic descriptions complicate expense separation, business tracking, and automated budgeting integrations.[Business Insider]
A customer service message verified by Business Insider indicated the measure was also meant to lower package theft risk and keep purchases confidential from other household members, though an Amazon spokesperson declined to comment on the note.[Business Insider]
Amazon previously implemented a similar email modification in 2020 before later reversing the decision.[Business Insider]

It is not confirmed whether the change was influenced by efforts to stop third parties from scraping customer purchase data from emails to train artificial intelligence models.[Business Insider]
It is unknown whether Amazon will retain the new email format or reconsider following customer backlash, as occurred after a 2020 update.[Business Insider]