Amazon finally bans sale of Mein Kampf and other Nazi books

Amazon has finally banned the sale of Adolf Hitler’s Mein Kampf and other Nazi books in its online marketplace.

The e-commerce giant informed booksellers that they would no longer be allowed to sell Nazi propaganda on its website. Amazon told its partners that “they can no longer offer this book” as it breaks the company’s code of conduct. Kindle editions previously available have also been deleted, as has Hitler’s author page, which reportedly encouraged customers to follow for author updates and information on new releases.

It is understood that the ban on Mein Kampf may impact Random House and the Indian publisher Jaico, for whom apparently it has worryingly become a bestseller. It is being reported that different editions of the book have collectively had thousands of Amazon reviews, including many five star ratings.

Amazon has traditionally defended the sale of these books on its website on the basis of free speech and education, despite pressure to end their sale, but has now reversed itself without giving a reason.

Amazon has recently removed other antisemitic material from its website as well.

An Amazon spokesperson said: “As a bookseller, we provide customers with access to a variety of viewpoints, including titles that serve an important educational role in understanding and preventing antisemitism. All retailers make decisions about what selection they choose to offer and we do not take selection decisions lightly.”