{
  "id": 3581592,
  "title": "Inside the Warehouse Where Amazon Scans and Destroys Books For AI Training",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/26/inside-the-warehouse-where-amazon-scans-and-destroys-books-for-ai-3581592",
  "topic": "ai",
  "section": "AI",
  "published": "2026-08-26T20:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Slashdot",
    "slug": "slashdot",
    "url": "https://news.slashdot.org/story/26/08/26/1857240/inside-the-warehouse-where-amazon-scans-and-destroys-books-for-ai-training"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In a recent report by 404 Media, an Amazon warehouse was exposed where books are scanned and subsequently destroyed for the purpose of AI training data. The employee interviewed by 404 Media worked at the VGT3 warehouse, which shares the same complex as LAS8, where Amazon carries out its print-on-demand business. Both operations are located in Las Vegas, Nevada.\n\nThe employee described the process of book destruction. They explained that each book is placed into a machine, similar to a workstation, and a machine operator cuts off the spines of the books. Afterward, the books are moved to library carts, which resemble how books are stacked, but instead are composed of loose paper and cardboard separators. The pages of the books are then collected and sent to a shuttle for disposal after being scanned.\n\nWhen asked about Amazon's actions, the employee expressed skepticism about the initial claim that the destruction of books was for Kindle devices. They believed the real reason was for AI training, which they found concerning due to copyright issues and the potential loss of rare books. The employee specifically mentioned their concern over the destruction of rare books, as well as the fact that the books cannot be reused afterwards, thus reducing the availability of copies for other readers.",
  "summary": "Last week, 404 Media published a story that revealed an Amazon warehouse where the company scans and destroys thousands of books for AI training data. Today, the publication has released an interview with one of the Amazon employees at the warehouse. \"The employee worked at Amazon's VGT3 warehouse, which is housed in the same facility as LAS8, where Amazon operates its print-on-demand business,\"…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "404 Media",
        "title": "Inside the Warehouse Where Amazon Scans and Destroys Books for AI Training",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/26/inside-the-warehouse-where-amazon-scans-and-destroys-books-for-ai",
        "published": "2026-08-26T13:21:51.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}