The key word here is credentials. I haven't been on the forums in awhile but it seems the game has evolved. Ive used frep and only frep to get work. But it seems there's been innovation where people are using block grabbing services where you hand over your credentials. I think that's what it's talking about. At least, I hope that's what it's talking about. I'm out of DLA5 if that matters...

 

^^^ How many drivers do you think transfered to DLA7 because the problem got so bad at DLA5 ?

 

Its not just block grabbing services. It's Frep and Repitouch too.

 

Get Frep, and Repitouch off of your phone asap. The only users being waned so far have those installed. If you are running only a proxy script you are fine...

 

I do not have Frep or Repetitouch and I did get the email.

wonder how many people that do flex can afford a lawyer lol.

The above about the terms of service is true. Automating is NOT against the TOS, sharing your account is.

Individually we may not have money for an attorney, but banded together we might. Besides, you pay a settlement share in civil lawsuits, not attorney fees. You pay nothing out of your own pocket.

 

I just spent an hour of my life reading through the TOS, POLICIES and Software licences and cannot find anything anywhere in all of that legaleze that would prohibit an independent contractor from using any software they choose to automate the process of checking for and/or accepting blocks.
Contrary to the notice from Amazon (below), that 'behavior' is not only NOT prohibited by the TOS, the TOS specifically states that as an independent contractor, drivers are free to fulfill their obligations under the TOS by any means they chose.

In other words, it seems to me (untrained, non-attorney) that a review of the TOS says nothing whatsoever about automating checking for and accepting blocks - and that the message below is Amazon's version of Uber Bluster, and is nothing more than an attempt to intimidate.

 

yup got the email to only thing i use is Frep so i have no idea wtf they mean by giving my credentials to a 3rd party company. STRAIGHT OUTA DLA5

 

Checking the rule and TOS, POLICIES won't help to get you reactivated.
The rules are written by Amazon for the benefit of Amazon, by Amazon Attorneys.

They can argue that any overlay on their software is a breach of the use of their software.

 

wonder how many people that do flex can afford a lawyer lol.

 

The question now is how is Amazon able to detect what software we use and how we use it. That is none of Amazon's business and it's a serious intrusion. What else are they able to detect? The messages we send, the emails we receive, our web browsing history and other apps we use? Who are they to say we can and can't use certain apps? They are opening themselves up to legal trouble. I am boycotting them now and will be longer work their rush hours for base pay. Good luck finding people who will work if you keep treating them with YOUR Big Brother BEHAVIOR. Two can play this game. And yes I have read their contract, it's extremely onesided and says nothing about automation or software we can or can't use.

 

This was more of a scare tactic than anything else. Amazon could have deactivated everyone with these programs running but they didn't as they would have lost half of their delivery drivers. As it stands, I watched block after block go unfilled in LA tonight after they started sending out the emails.

At least we now know from what has been reported here that they are monitoring (at least on Android phones) what other programs are running. This is a privacy issue but more to do so with Google allowing this to happen in the first place. This is a standard practice for Amazon though. They keep many pieces of data on what you do when you run their apps or visit the Amazon web site.

 

This was more of a scare tactic than anything else..

No. It is a shot across the Bow. The next one is the Kill shot.

" This is the Official voice the of untied states of america / Amazon...... the blast that will level the cities... This is the only Alert you will receive. "

 

I will not stand for bullying tactics. I urge everyone to take at least part of today off. Let the packages go undelivered. They need us more than they think. Also, see you in court if you keep it up.

 

I for one am glad Amazon is doing this. I know of more drivers who were tired of the bots then I know if drivers who were happy about them. I hope Amazon does follow thru with their "threats."

 

Amen.

 

hi

guys, what if they just can see that we constantly refreshing our Amazon flex app and thats why they thinking we using some kind of auto clicker?
What im trying to say: if we for example reduce the speed in ours auto clicker app maybe it will be fine?
Anybody know if they terminate you on amazon flex is there any way to discuss and comeback?

 

What part of "at-will" and "independent contractor" is confusing for people? Amazon can terminate 10% of the partner/drivers every week if they feel like it, for any reason at all... or no reason.

 

Boycott and quit, guys. More blocks for me. I like to be able to get blocks whenever I want without having to fish. Less drivers mean more increased rate blocks as well.

 

BOOM GOES THE DYNAMITE!!!

Finally. It took them the 3rd Ice Age to proclaim fishing bots & grabbers illegal. Should be highly entertaining watching big brother's futile attempt at balancing company ethics, policy enforcement, and Amazon's Darwinian need to make money on a daily basis.

Let the Amazonian Hunger Games begin!

hi

guys, what if they just can see that we constantly refreshing our Amazon flex app and thats why they thinking we using some kind of auto clicker?
What im trying to say: if we for example reduce the speed in ours auto clicker app maybe it will be fine?
Anybody know if they terminate you on amazon flex is there any way to discuss and comeback?

No matter how much you lower the bot's frequency of clicks, just remember this:

Unlike a human finger, a bot doesn't need to stop clicking. Ever.

Why? Because it doesn't need to eat, sleep, urinate, exchange bodily fluids with significant other, etc.

Why? Because it never gets tired....

As to being reinstated: if you get busted for illegal hacks, see Jester121's post above.

If you insist on using a bot and gambling with a relatively lucrative side gig, then you'll need the fortune of Lucifer & Loki combined.

Good luck naive knucklehead pup.

Boycott and quit, guys. More blocks for me. I like to be able to get blocks whenever I want without having to fish. Less drivers mean more increased rate blocks as well.

AMEN

 

Christmas is coming and Amazon needs every experienced driver they can get to work for them. It would be foolish to pull off a stunt that would leave them short handed or dependent on new drivers with their busiest shopping season approaching, call it a scare tactic or warning shot across the bow or whatever you want but I don't believe anyone will be deactivated in the future as long as one heeds the advice given here to avoid running macros and emulators.

The approaching xmas season is probably the only thing that kept Amazon from terming everyone vs the scare tactict warning they sent out.

 

They surly will replace everyone one so fast and bring another in like a drop of the dime so dont have that mentality ! WE NEED SUM BODY THAT KNOWS WHATS GOING ON

the internet is going to get flooded with tears when the next ban wave comes.

One thing for sure u aint lieing on dat

I haven't heard or read of anyone being deactivated. I have received two emails about it and don't have any intentions of stopping my macro so we'll see how it goes. I have requested additional information and they just responded with the terms and conditions. I hit them back with specifically what is trigging my account.. We'll see if they ever reply. I'm still puzzled what info they have because manual trappers are still claiming they got the second email as well..

Im not gonna tell u what to do..But i can tell u when they write u 3 times a bout the same issue they send a deactivation letter behind it...

I know of at least 2 ppl in Portland, Or who have got the 2nd email

That third one gonna be tragic... back to uber

Mabey 3 strikes and your out, I have no way of knowing. I have only got 1 warning, 2 of my friends got a second. I'm laying low until the smoke clears.

There is no smoke thats gonna clear...They give u 3 strikes and a termination letter..I jist went thru that .

 

I can't help but feel like I didn't get the email because I don't let my autoclicker run for hours; I let it run for like 10 seconds before each 24-hour drop to get the block and then turn it off .. I do that every day until I max out.

Perhaps the people that were emailed leave that shit running day in & out on multiple accounts.

 

I leave mine running but most of the times don't grab the blocks. How can I set my Frep.?

 

I'm still looking for a common denominator for who got it and who didn't. I know two family members that share the same phone with repetitouch, one account got the email the other didn't.

 

Same here but I think that they find out if you leave running because i got the email and my girlfriend not we use the same device the only difference is that i used to leave my running for hours

 

Ya but the 19 video's make it so easy, who needs training right !

 

Besides, you pay a settlement share in civil lawsuits, not attorney fees. You pay nothing out of your own pocket.

Uhhh... NO.

While contingency basis is an option for a civil lawsuit, it's certainly not the only one, and it requires convincing some law firm to front all the costs of taking on one of the largest companies in the friggin' world, with just a chance to make some money... if you win.

 

Amazon will get rid of cheaters. Third party apps are prohibited specifically in TOS, if you cannot interpret that in the TOS, you are just seeing it your way. Amazon has tons of new people willing, waiting and currently scheduling them.

 

Third party apps are prohibited specifically in TOS, if you cannot interpret that in the TOS, you are just seeing it your way.

That's your opinion... mine differs.
Aside from the legal fact that an independent contractor by definition (and as underscored in the Amazon Flex TOS) is permitted to perform their work as they best see fit, using any software to perform the job is our absolute right - as long as it does not touch Amazon's code or manipulate Amazon's systems. An 'auto-click' routine manipulates MY PHONE... not Amazon's app. Seeing that 'auto checking for available blocks' does a task that is indistinguishable from someone tapping 'refresh' 18 million times in rapid succession (as we all do), Amazon would have a hard time claiming it is prohibited in their TOS.

Let me give you an extreme (absurd) example:
Let's say I write a program that can read from my phone screen the next address on my Flex itinerary - and that program then directs my drone to drop the correct package at that address and return to me for the next drop-off on my itinerary. I'm using software to access (but not manipulate) the Amazon Flex app on MY device - and it would be perfectly acceptable under the TOS.

I keep seeing people use the word 'cheat' when talking about auto-click stuff and block grabbers. I don't use them - but only because I don't have the need to (at this time). I don't get the whole 'cheat' thing... this isn't a game. I'll go to pretty great lengths to help someone (in the DC, on the road, etc.) but all other drivers ARE my competition for business from Amazon. So why is it 'cheating' if one person uses a snow blower while someone else chooses to use a snow shovel. Hell, if I can, I'm going to hire a snow plow. The object isn't to wear yourself out and do things the hardest, slowest way possible - it's to be efficient in clearing the snow.

 

Yeah, a crew of all new inexperienced drivers at xmas time is exactly what Amazon wants. Maybe in January they will actually deactivate people instead of just threatening them but for now Amazon needs the cheaters for the next 3 months.

I don't even understand what the big deal to work for Amazon even is. Yeah the pay is better than Uber/Lyft but you give up a lot in return compared to a normal job.

$18-$25 an hour but then you need to take out for self employment taxes (15+ percent) plus normal state and federal taxes, not to mention the wear and tear and gas/depreciation for your vehicle. No health coverage and no workers comp coverage either so when you throw your back out from lugging cases of water up and down stairs you are on your own.

Hell, you don't even get to keep all of the tips you are supposed to receive! This job is barely a step above working at McDonald's yet people are fighting for the chance to work for Amazon. I don't get it. By the time you take out all the deductions you are right down at the McDonald's rate ($12 an hour to start in LA) and at least they afford you workers comp coverage along with the chance to move up into management in the organization.

The whole reason Amazon even has the Flex program is because they can't get any company to take the work at the rates Amazon is willing to pay. That should tell you something right there...

 

Yeah, a crew of all new inexperienced drivers at xmas time is exactly what Amazon wants.

Everyone keeps moaning about this, as if somehow Amazon's going to be doomed without an army of grizzled (1-year) veterans driving around the hinterlands in December; I don't get it. About a week's worth of experience is plenty to have this job mastered -- figure 6 blocks or so.... and that's if you're not very bright.

We're all easily replaceable, without Amazon missing a beat. Anyone who thinks differently has a tragically over-inflated ego.

 

It's still impossible to get blocks at Riverside. I am not seeing a difference at all.

 

Came here to say, I know for a FACT that people not using any kind of all or software also receieved this email.

 

I still didn't receive that email as of today. You can only speak for yourself if you, indeed, did receive that email without ever using any type of block grabbing software. You can't speak for anyone else because you don't know if they've ever used bots or not.

Yeah, a crew of all new inexperienced drivers at xmas time is exactly what Amazon wants. Maybe in January they will actually deactivate people instead of just threatening them but for now Amazon needs the cheaters for the next 3 months.

I don't even understand what the big deal to work for Amazon even is. Yeah the pay is better than Uber/Lyft but you give up a lot in return compared to a normal job.

$18-$25 an hour but then you need to take out for self employment taxes (15+ percent) plus normal state and federal taxes, not to mention the wear and tear and gas/depreciation for your vehicle. No health coverage and no workers comp coverage either so when you throw your back out from lugging cases of water up and down stairs you are on your own.

Hell, you don't even get to keep all of the tips you are supposed to receive! This job is barely a step above working at McDonald's yet people are fighting for the chance to work for Amazon. I don't get it. By the time you take out all the deductions you are right down at the McDonald's rate ($12 an hour to start in LA) and at least they afford you workers comp coverage along with the chance to move up into management in the organization.

The whole reason Amazon even has the Flex program is because they can't get any company to take the work at the rates Amazon is willing to pay. That should tell you something right there...

It's not $18/hr if you never had to work the entire scheduled time of the block. I don't want to hype this gig up too much for obvious reasons but I like it a lot. It definitely pays better than a typical minimum waged job.

 

Making an observation, not whining. I get exactly what I want week after week without issue thanks to BlockGrabber.