Amazon Smile linked with controversial Narconon charity
Amazon is channeling funds to a drug charity with Scientology links.
According to a report by The Guardian, the e-commerce giant has connected with Narconon, which runs programmes for drug addicts based on the teachings of Scientology founder, L Ron Hubbard. Shoppers are able to pledge 0.5% of purchases to the charity under Amazon’s Smile feature.
Tens of thousands of children have been given talks by Narconon at schools across the UK. Many of these were apparently unaware of the link to Scientology, leading to complaints from parents.
An Amazon spokesman said: “The Charity Commission is the official charity regulator in England and Wales. If an organisation no longer has charitable status – for whatever reason – and has been removed from the commission’s register, we will also remove them from the Smile programme.”
