WSJ Tech News Briefing · Thursday, September 17, 2026
Senators Tammy Baldwin and Rick Scott have asked the FTC to investigate Amazon and Walmart's AI shopping chatbots regarding their handling of "Made in USA" claims. A Columbia University report suggests these chatbots might obscure origin information for US products while highlighting foreign-made ones. Amazon denies intentionally withholding this data, and Walmart has declined to comment.
“In another journal exclusive, two senators are asking the Federal Trade Commission to investigate how Amazon and Walmart's AI powered shopping chatbots handle made in the USA claims with shoppers.”
“In a letter to the FTC chairman and the commissioner, Senators Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin and Rick Scott of Florida cited a Columbia University report that says Amazon's Alexa and Walmart's Sparky may obscure country of origin information for US products, but provide information about products made in other countries.”
“Walmart declined to comment and Amazon said any suggestion that it intentionally withholds country of origin information is incorrect.”