On December 29, 2019, CNN reported that Amazon is selling fake and potentially dangerous children’s products, specifically a counterfeit 4-in-1 baby car seat and stroller that failed a 30-mph crash test conducted in partnership with the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute. The product, listed for $299, $200 cheaper than the authentic Doona brand, used images of Ivanka Trump with her child to deceive buyers. CNN’s months-long investigation found multiple business owners whose products were targeted by counterfeiters on Amazon’s third-party marketplace. Amazon responded by contacting affected customers, urging them to stop using the product, and offering full refunds.
Counterfeit car seat fails crash test
CNN’s investigation centered on a fake Doona car seat and stroller combo. The product listing on Amazon featured photos of the real Doona, including an image of Ivanka Trump, President Donald Trump’s daughter, using the genuine item. The counterfeit sold for $299, significantly undercutting the authentic product’s price of around $500. CNN, working with the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute, crash-tested the fake car seat at 30 mph. The seat broke into pieces, failing to meet basic safety standards set by U.S. regulators. “The car seat does not meet the basic standards set by US regulators,” CNN reported, highlighting the immediate danger to children.
Third-party marketplace under scrutiny
The fake Doona was sold through Amazon’s website and app, but not by Amazon directly. It was listed by third-party vendors on the platform’s marketplace. CNN’s investigation, prompted by reports from concerned citizens, revealed a broader pattern of counterfeit children’s products on Amazon. “Seven different business owners told CNN their products were being actively targeted by counterfeiters using Amazon’s marketplace for third-party vendors,” the article stated. These business owners reported that their legitimate products were being copied and sold at lower prices, often with unsafe materials or designs.
Amazon’s response and refunds
After CNN alerted Amazon to the counterfeit car seat, the company took action. Amazon said it immediately contacted customers who had purchased the fake Doona. The company urged those customers to stop using the product and offered full refunds. In an emailed statement, an Amazon spokesperson said: “We require all products offered in our store to comply with applicable laws and regulations and have developed industry-leading tools to prevent unsafe or non-compliant products from being listed in our stores.” The statement emphasized Amazon’s commitment to product safety, though critics note that counterfeit products continue to appear on the platform.
Regulatory efforts to tighten standards
The CNN report has spurred discussions among authorities about setting stricter quality standards for products sold on e-commerce platforms. Various efforts are now being taken by authorities to set a high bar for the quality of products sold in e-commerce platforms. This includes potential new regulations requiring platforms like Amazon to verify the safety of third-party listings before they go live. Consumer advocacy groups have called for stronger enforcement, arguing that current practices place too much burden on buyers to identify fakes. The issue is particularly urgent for children’s products, where safety failures can have life-threatening consequences.
The CNN investigation show a persistent challenge for online marketplaces: balancing open platforms for sellers with rigorous safety oversight. While Amazon’s quick refunds and statements show a willingness to act after problems are exposed, the presence of counterfeit and dangerous products raises questions about proactive screening. For parents, the takeaway is clear: even on trusted platforms, not all products are safe. As regulators and companies work toward solutions, consumers must remain vigilant, especially when buying items that affect children’s safety.
