Recent discoveries have unveiled that Motorola smartphones come with a concealed system application that reroutes Amazon app accesses through affiliate tracking links. This revelation raises significant concerns about the transparency and ethics of software pre-installed on high-end Android devices.
Uncovering the Interception
The issue was initially highlighted by a user of the Motorola Razr 60 Ultra who reported on Reddit that launching the Amazon app redirected him to a browser with a strange URL. This URL eventually led to Amazon.com with an embedded affiliate code.
Further investigation into network traffic revealed that a hidden app known as Smart Feed was responsible for this activity. This app communicates with an external server, devicenative[.]com, which provides it with the necessary affiliate codes and configurations.
How the Redirection Works
Upon tapping a shopping app, Smart Feed intercepts the action, triggering a browser redirect that includes a monetized payload. The chain of events goes unnoticed by users unless they have altered the default app link settings on their devices.
This process mirrors techniques used by adware and banking Trojans, involving stealthy intent hijacking and communication with a remote server for dynamic configuration of its functions.
Wider Implications and Motorola’s Role
From a security perspective, the ability of this app to adapt its behavior via server-side changes poses a risk for more malicious redirections, such as phishing attacks. The reliance on the external domain for instructions means users could be diverted to harmful sites without any prompt firmware updates.
The situation has been confirmed on the Motorola Razr 60 Ultra, a high-priced device, and it’s uncertain whether other models are affected. The domain involved suggests possible third-party involvement, though this does not absolve Motorola of responsibility for this software inclusion.
As of now, Motorola has not provided an official response. A report from 9to5Google dated May 25, 2026, has brought broader attention to these findings.
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