After Amazon forced end of life on my still functioning Kindle from 2013, I'd utilized the utility of machine learning models via a suitable agent in a controlled environment to decrypt and rip all of my paid for books.

Fast forward four months to the present and I decide that I do have value in using a Kindle as a reading device treating my Kindle Unlimited subscription as a library. Given the quantity of books that I churn through, I consider that good value for money.

With that in mind, I spent some time researching the current models and their pricing. Amazon, among all sellers, had the cheapest advertised price at $299, whereas everyone else was offering them for sale at $369.

While not in any particular rush to get a device, I create a throwaway Amazon account using a throwaway email address. I provided details that didn't match my own particulars during the purchase process and finalized the deal.

I then receive an email telling me that the order had been completed and that I'll be notified when it is shipped out.

Several minutes later I receive another email telling me that my account is on hold because it is "suspicious", without ever being specific as to what they found to be "suspicious". This seems to be an ongoing problem with businesses in that they make some claim, often without information to back up their claim or explain their reasoning. Another example would be accounts or posts on X getting pinged for vague and ambiguous things, as @Derpetology101 has, among others, repeatedly shown us over time.

I grab a clean copy of the link from the email, toss it into a fresh private browser session to see what Amazon wants. What they wanted was quite intrusive and contrary to a typical exchange of properties between two parties, from the top of my head having not saved a snapshot of what those things were in some combination: State or federal identification, e.g. state issued ID card or driver license, or passport; photograph(s) of things, e.g. utility bill, bank statement going back 60 days, credit or debit card partially redacted but they didn't say what was required.

I told them in my typically blunt manner that they wanted information that they were not entitled to having and that I'll spend my money with someone else that doesn't require such things.

A 47 minute trip to the small smoke (nearest town with suitable electronics shops), walked in to a store that I knew had a price match policy, told them what I wanted, what the advertised price was, who was advertising it and by what means. They matched the price, did what they needed to do, I handed them $300, they handed me $1 in change. They were satisfied. I was satisfied. After a pit stop for tank of fuel ($188.30AUD, thanks Trump) I was home a little over an hour later.

If I asked for unnecessary information from my clients, I'd be with fewer clients.