Cybersecurity

How Amazon Opens Up and Cleans Up

By allowing friendly hackers to access its data and feeds, the e-commerce giant is creating a fast-growing ecosystem where buying and selling thrive

Provide news feedback or report an error

Confidential tip?

Send a tip to our reporters

Site feedback:

Take our Survey

June 24, 2003 at 4:00 AM UTC

This article is for subscribers only.

When Paul Bausch goes to the bookstore or mall, he brings along his cell phone -- but not to chat with friends about his purchases. Bausch, a programmer and Web developer by trade, has written a simple piece of software that lets him download onto his handset lists of favorite items on Amazon.com. If Bausch wants to check out a cooking gadget before he buys it at a store, he can pull up his wish list and make sure he's looking at the right model. He can also check the store price against Amazon's. Or, he says, "I can click through right on Amazon if I want to have it delivered."

Amazon (AMZN ) may not always get the sale, but that's just fine with the e-commerce giant, which is playing a more central role in Bausch's buying habits. Amazon has made it easier for Bausch and other developers to get the info they want. Since April, 2002, Bausch -- or anyone who has signed up as a developer with Amazon's Web-services program -- has been able to download data feeds from Amazon in XML (extensible markup language) format. Plenty of Amazon hackers have, like Bausch, made tools for their personal use or to put them on their own sites. Still others have made a business selling their tools or software based on Amazon's XML feeds to other companies and Web sites.