A new wave of concern has hit the Android community as a Motorola affiliate code hijacking issue surfaces online. Users have reported that opening the Amazon app on certain Motorola smartphones is triggering unusual redirects, ultimately sending them through suspicious URLs that inject affiliate codes into their browsing sessions. The discovery has reignited conversations about transparency, mobile privacy, and how preinstalled apps influence user activity in the background.

For a brand that has worked hard to build trust with its smartphone lineup, this issue could not have come at a worse time. Many users are now demanding answers, while others are quickly disabling features they believe may be tied to the problem.

A Familiar Type of Hijacking Returns

This isn’t the first time the tech world has dealt with affiliate code hijacking. A few years ago, a major scandal involving PayPal’s Honey browser extension exposed how easily affiliate links can be swapped or replaced behind the scenes. The fallout led to lawsuits, public outrage, and even prompted Google to update its Chrome extensions policy.

Now, a similar pattern has emerged on the mobile side—only this time, it appears to be happening directly on Motorola smartphones.

How the Motorola Issue Was Discovered

The issue first came to light when a Reddit user reported strange behavior on their Motorola Razr Ultra. When attempting to open the Amazon app, the device unexpectedly launched a web browser, redirected through an unfamiliar link, and then opened Amazon with an affiliate code attached.

Further inspection revealed that the device was making requests to a service called devicenative.com, which markets itself as a platform that delivers personalized, on-device mobile advertising without sharing user data. While the company’s description sounds harmless, the way it appears to be functioning on Motorola devices is raising eyebrows.

Soon after, 9to5Google ran its own tests and successfully replicated the behavior. The publication identified the issue on a Razr Fold running the latest Smart Feed version, v2.03.0070. However, when testing was done on devices running an older Smart Feed version (v2.03.0056), the affiliate hijacking did not occur. Based on these findings, the issue seems strongly tied to the newer Smart Feed update.

When the Redirects Actually Happen

According to the testing carried out by 9to5Google and reproduced in similar cases, the affiliate hijacking only triggers when the Amazon app is opened from the app drawer. If a user launches the Amazon app from the home screen, the redirect does not occur.

In one observed case, the redirect briefly opened a mobile browser window containing the phrase “kira-abboud,” which appears to reference fashion influencer @kirasfashionfinds. However, neither the redirect URL nor the affiliate code being injected matches any links the influencer has publicly shared. This raises serious questions about who is actually behind the code injection.

It’s currently unclear whether:

• A third party found a way to insert their affiliate code
• A rogue employee added the code intentionally
• The Smart Feed service is unknowingly forwarding users through a compromised channel

Motorola has not yet provided an official explanation, but interest in the situation continues to grow.

Why the Smart Feed Feature Is at the Center of It All

Smart Feed is a preinstalled Motorola feature designed to provide personalized content recommendations, ads, and shopping shortcuts. While it can be useful, the latest version appears to be the common factor in all reported cases of affiliate hijacking.

This has raised questions about how much control Motorola users actually have over the data and behavior of preinstalled apps. Even when users do not realize Smart Feed is active, it appears capable of influencing how applications open and how external links are processed.

For users concerned about privacy, this raises a larger conversation about how often background services operate without clear consent.

How to Stop the Affiliate Hijacking Immediately

Thankfully, there is a quick fix users can apply to stop the redirect behavior. Disabling the Smart Feed feature appears to completely halt the affiliate code injection, based on testing from 9to5Google.

Here’s how Motorola users can disable Smart Feed in just a few steps:

• Open the Settings menu
• Tap on Apps
• Search for Smart Feed
• Select the Disable option

Once disabled, the redirect behavior should stop right away. While Smart Feed may continue offering useful features when enabled, users who feel uncomfortable with the way it is currently operating can turn it off without affecting the rest of the device’s functionality.

Why This Matters for Smartphone Users

While this issue may seem minor at first glance, the implications go far beyond a single app or redirect. Affiliate hijacking on a phone level can:

• Generate revenue for unknown third parties without user consent
• Track user behavior in ways many users may not realize
• Undermine the trust between hardware brands and their customers
• Create openings for more harmful scripts or services to operate quietly

This is especially troubling because it happens within preinstalled apps, which users typically assume are safe by default.

A Reminder to Stay Vigilant With Preinstalled Apps

The Motorola affiliate code hijacking situation acts as a strong reminder that even trusted smartphones can carry hidden surprises. Preinstalled apps often have system-level access that allows them to do far more than typical user-installed software.

For now, Motorola users who feel uneasy should:

• Disable Smart Feed if not actively used
• Open important apps directly from the home screen instead of the app drawer
• Watch for any unusual browser redirects or unfamiliar pop-ups
• Keep the device updated as fixes may roll out in response to the issue

Awaiting Motorola’s Response

As of now, Motorola has not released an official statement explaining the source of the affiliate codes or whether the behavior was intentional. Many users are hoping that the company will address the situation soon, especially given the broader implications for trust, privacy, and consumer protection.

If Motorola issues a software update or removes the suspicious behavior in future versions of Smart Feed, it could go a long way in calming user concerns. Until then, the safest option remains turning off the feature and being mindful of how preinstalled services interact with everyday apps.

The story is still developing, and as new details emerge, smartphone users will be watching closely. What seemed like a small annoyance has quickly grown into a major reminder that even the apps already on your phone deserve careful attention.