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How Amazon Wish Lists Can Become a Threat

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Those who share their wish list publicly should pay close attention to the providers behind the products. Photo: Getty Images
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March 27, 2026, 12:33 pm | Read time: 2 minutes

Amazon wish lists are a practical tool for many users. They help gather and share gift ideas with others. Whether for birthdays, weddings, or other occasions, a list provides an overview and prevents duplicate or unsuitable gifts. One click is all it takes for friends or family to see what’s desired. This saves time and reduces incorrect purchases.

Change at Amazon Affects Protection Feature

Since March 25, 2026, a previously available feature is no longer offered. Users could previously exclude products from third-party sellers from their wish list. This ensured that Amazon itself handled the shipping.

The change may seem technical at first glance, but it has direct implications for data protection. It primarily affects the handling of so-called marketplace products.

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Why the New Regulation Is Problematic

The risk arises from the marketplace system. When an item is purchased from a third-party seller, Amazon forwards the delivery address to that seller. This is necessary for shipping to occur.

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If such an item is on a public wish list, anyone can purchase it. In this case, the stored address is shared. Amazon explained to the online magazine “Heise Online“: “If a customer has a public list and links an address to their list in the list settings, gift buyers may receive the recipient’s address through sellers and delivery partners who fulfill these orders, as they share delivery updates and tracking information as part of the shipping process.” This creates a potential data protection issue if unauthorized individuals gain access to the address.

How to Protect Your Own Address

Amazon suggests several ways to reduce the risk. One option is to use an alternative address or a P.O. box for public wish lists.

If that’s not preferred, the visibility of the list can be adjusted. In the account under “Account and Lists,” select the relevant wish list. Click on the three dots to access “Manage List.” There, the setting can be changed from “Public” to “Private.” The list can still be shared via a link afterward.

Another option is to remove all third-party products from the list. When adding new items, ensure that Amazon itself is listed as the seller. Only then will the stored address remain protected.

This article is a machine translation of the original German version of TECHBOOK and has been reviewed for accuracy and quality by a native speaker. For feedback, please contact us at info@techbook.de.

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