The global internet giant, which last week revealed that its daily revenues had hit a record $550m a day, now spans a huge range of businesses from TV production to web hosting but faces an ongoing challenge to police its own online retail platform.

In one order from the retailer, the Guardian received:

• Knockoff Apple AirPods, mis-sold on the site as genuine items but arriving in packaging labelling them as “HBQ-i7S”.

• Genuine Apple iPhone chargers, sold on the site as new but in reality separated from returned and refurbished devices and sold second-hand.

• Multiple examples of counterfeit streetwear and accessories, including a Supreme/Louis Vuitton iPhone case and an Anti Social Social Club hoodie.

• Counterfeit Kylie Jenner lip gloss, manufactured by a Chinese company and almost indistinguishable from the real thing.

The items were all sold through Amazon’s Marketplace, a long-running feature on the site allowing third parties to use the company’s infrastructure to sell direct to consumers, with Amazon taking a cut of the revenue.

Read full article