Microsoft’s Shopping Extension Hijacks Affiliate Commissions, Lawsuit Claims

Case Overview: A class action lawsuit claims Microsoft Shopping's browser extension steals commissions from content creators by manipulating affiliate links and diverting revenue. 

Consumers Affected: Content creators who use affiliate marketing programs. 

Court: U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington at Seattle

Tech giant Microsoft is facing allegations that its Microsoft Shopping browser extension secretly hijacks affiliate marketing commissions from content creators, in the latest legal action filed over the issue.

A new lawsuit filed by Storm Productions LLC claims that the extension manipulates online transactions by replacing creators’ affiliate cookies with Microsoft’s own—effectively stealing commissions that rightfully belong to those who drive online sales.

Microsoft Shopping, launched in 2020, markets itself as a tool to help consumers find discounts and cashback offers while shopping online. However, the lawsuit alleges that behind the scenes, the extension turns its millions of users into unwitting participants in a large-scale scheme that redirects affiliate commissions from influencers, bloggers, and other digital marketers to Microsoft instead.

Microsoft Shopping Accused of Stealing Affiliate Commissions from Content Creators

Storm Productions LLC operates Madison Avenue Spy, a well-known fashion deals blog with nearly 22,000 subscribers, an Instagram following of 110,000, and a Substack newsletter with over 12,000 readers. The brand regularly partners with retailers through affiliate marketing, earning commissions when its followers click on links and make purchases, the lawsuit explains.

Madison Avenue Spy generates millions of dollars in retail sales every year, the lawsuit says, yet its earnings have been significantly undercut by Microsoft’s alleged interference. The complaint states that Microsoft Shopping systematically replaces the blog’s affiliate tracking codes with its own before a purchase is completed, ensuring that Microsoft—not the original promoter—gets paid.

Lawsuit Alleges Browser Extension Manipulates Affiliate Links to Divert Commissions

Microsoft Shopping functions as a free browser extension that automatically searches for deals, price comparisons, and cashback rewards when users shop online. The extension is pre-installed on Microsoft Edge and available for download on other popular browsers like Google Chrome.

The problem, according to the lawsuit, is that Microsoft doesn’t just passively find discounts—it actively disrupts the affiliate marketing process. Affiliate marketing works by assigning a unique tracking code to content creators who promote a retailer’s products. When a consumer clicks an affiliate link, that code is stored in their browser, ensuring that the content creator gets credited (and paid) if the user makes a purchase.

The lawsuit alleges that Microsoft Shopping secretly swaps out these affiliate cookies for its own at the last moment, right before the sale is finalized. This means that even if a consumer originally clicked on a creator’s link, Microsoft Shopping ultimately claims credit for the sale and collects the commission.

Affiliate Hijacking Lawsuits On the Rise

Microsoft isn’t the only company facing allegations of hijacking affiliate commissions.

RetailMeNot, a well-known online coupon platform, is currently battling a lawsuit from influencers who claim its browser extension similarly manipulates tracking data to reroute commissions away from creators. The lawsuit, filed by tech influencers Edgar Oganesyan and Matthew Ely, accuses RetailMeNot of secretly inserting its own affiliate codes to collect earnings that should belong to content creators.

In another high-profile case, YouTuber MegaLag exposed similar practices allegedly used by PayPal’s Honey extension, which sparked widespread backlash and legal action. Honey, much like Microsoft Shopping and RetailMeNot, was advertised as a savings tool for consumers but was later accused of altering tracking codes to capture commissions meant for influencers and bloggers.

In the Microsoft Shopping affiliate commission class action lawsuit, Storm Productions LLC wants to represent anyone in the US affected by Microsoft Shopping’s alleged scheme. The LLC is suing for unjust enrichment, Interference with Prospective Economic Advantage or Expectancy, Interference with Contractual or Business Relations, conversion, and violations of New York business law. It is seeking injunctive relief, damages, restitution, interest, costs, and fees. 

Case Details

• Lawsuit: Storm Productions LLC v. Microsoft Corporation
• Case Number: 2:25-cv-00203 
• Court: U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington at Seattle  

Plaintiffs' Attorneys

• Jason T. Dennett and Joan Pradhan (Tousley Brain Stephens PLLC)
• Norman E. Siegel, Barrett J. Vahle, and Joy D. Merklen (Stueve Siegel Hanson LLP)

Are you a content creator who uses affiliate marketing? Share your thoughts on this lawsuit in the comments below.