Walmart is in talks to acquire startup R&A Data, founded by Israeli scientists, to combat scams and counterfeits on online marketplaces. The potential deal comes as new CEO John Furner prepares to take over, with Walmart’s third-party marketplace driving e-commerce growth by 25%.

R&A Data has been working with Walmart since 2024 to screen listings for compliance issues like counterfeiting. The possible acquisition aims to address the need for tools to detect problematic items. Walmart’s online marketplace has become a critical growth engine, necessitating stricter controls.

Walmart’s move to acquire R&A Data follows an investigation revealing lax seller and product vetting controls. The retailer aims to combat counterfeiters aggressively and maintain trust with customers. The potential deal could enhance Walmart’s ability to monitor and ensure compliance with its marketplace rules.

Experts suggest marketplaces need robust onboarding and vetting processes to prevent bad actors and ongoing monitoring to stop the sale of fake or dangerous products. R&A Data, founded in 2022, uses AI to monitor listings for compliance, offering scalable protection. The company’s founders have a background in intelligence and compliance solutions.

R&A Data’s website describes its AI-powered platform as providing reliable, scalable protection for online listings. The company’s founders previously established EverC, a firm focused on detecting risky merchants and compliance challenges. Walmart’s interest in R&A Data highlights the importance of robust compliance and monitoring in online marketplaces.

Read more at CNBC: Walmart in talks to acquire R&A Data to fight marketplace counterfeits