Amazon.com to Let Users Block Shopper Data

Amazon.com Inc. said it will let individuals and companies withhold data about their orders and shopping habits if they don’t want it displayed on the Amazon.com Web site. Amazon.com began posting lists earlier this month that sort information from its database of more than 10 million Internet customers by employer, city and university. Some users complained this so-called Purchase Circles feature violated their privacy. “Some customers have expressed concerns, so we’re letting people decide individually” if their information can be included in the lists, Amazon executive Warren Adams said in a statement. Seattle-based Amazon sells books, music, videos, toys and electronics at its site. The company’s shares fell 6 cents to close at $128.50 on Nasdaq.