Some Internet users have pointed the finger at Amazon: the e-commerce giant has indeed deleted negative comments on the book by the former Minister of Health, Olivier Véran. Not censorship, according to Amazon, but simple moderation.
“A very good book to warm up this winter”. “Interesting and well written”. “The neurologist is doing an electroencephalogram. Unsurprisingly, this one is perfectly flat”. Complimentary or very mocking, opinions diverge on “Beyond the Waves”, Olivier Véran’s book released on September 8th.
However, a few days after the release of the book, they were all positive. Amazon would have deleted the most negative comments over time, to the point of keeping only the five-star ratings.
HALLUCINATING!@amazonfrance remove negative feedback on VERAN sales!!!
There were 19 comments including 17 at 1/5 and 2 at 5/5: only the 2 at 5/5 remain… except that we have copies of the history!!!
A rogue method.
A little boycott of AMAZON? https://t.co/NJhJlunMDb pic.twitter.com/bMlOSLw0VU
— Jean-Yves CAPO (@JeanYvesCAPO) September 10, 2022
A “strict policy” to fight against fake reviews
The comments deleted by Amazon would have included defamatory remarks, even insults. Asked by franceinfo, the platform defended itself: “we have strict policies on false reviews and proactively remove comments that violate these rules.”
In “Beyond the Waves”, Olivier Véran looks back on the Covid-19 crisis and how he tried to stem it. Amazon claims to have deleted messages containing criticisms of the management of the health crisis or of Olivier Véran – but not those which directly rated the work.
This Saturday, September 17, eight notices are currently visible on the page of the book. Including four negatives. Thanks to the “verified purchase” function, it is also now impossible to rate the book without having purchased it directly on the platform.