The company changed its search function in 2018 to prioritize its own brands instead of the most relevant or best-selling products. It made the change despite objections from its engineers and lawyers, according to multiple sources. Amazon declined to discuss specifics of its algorithm or the lawyers’ objections. (Wall Street Journal)

Talking point: Amazon is looking to boost the profitability of its e-commerce business, so it can use the revenue to fight its multi-front war against retailers, grocery stores and other Big Tech firms. But this short-term profit push could have long-term consequences: it comes as Amazon is facing a growing antitrust threat. In July, as part of an anti-competitive probe, the U.S. House Judiciary Committee asked Amazon for information about its search function. Earlier this month, Canada’s Competition Bureau asked people to report anti-competitive behaviour in the digital economy, citing “an online marketplace manipulating its rankings so that its own products and services appear above those offered by rivals” as one example of a potential issue.