engine - 1:13 pm on Apr 20, 2010 (gmt 0)

Amazon Files Lawsuit Blocking North Carolina's Request For Data [uk.reuters.com]

Online retailer Amazon.com has filed a lawsuit in a federal court to block the North Carolina state government's demand it disclose all transaction details, including names and addresses, involving state residents, court documents show. In the complaint, Amazon said that North Carolina Department of Revenue (DOR) is demanding that the retailer turn over the name and address of virtually every North Carolina resident who has purchased anything from Amazon since 2003. Amazon also said in the court filing that DOR also demanded the company furnish records of what each customer purchased and how much they paid. The company said the disclosure of such information will invade privacy of its customers.