Amazon Scans Books for AI Data Before Destroying Them in North Las Vegas Facility

Amazon has been secretly buying books from sellers across the US and Europe, scanning their pages for artificial intelligence training data before destroying the originals.

A 404 Media investigation tracked an order of about 1,000 books to Amazon's LAS8 warehouse in North Las Vegas, where a unit called VGT3 scans and shreds books for AI training. The logo on the entrance reads 'Tyrannosaurus rex holding an open book and baring its teeth.'

A bookseller on Biblio allowed 404 Media to place an Apple AirTag into one volume in the shipment, which revealed the final signal came from the north end of the LAS8 Amazon Fulfillment Center. VGT3 employees scan each book's ISBN barcode before scanning its pages.

Amazon reportedly purchases books through commercial channels 'to help develop and improve the products and services our customers use.' However, this practice raises concerns about the value of physical books and their historical significance.