Bloomberg: US Trade Commission to Sue Amazon
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The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is collecting materials to file a lawsuit against one of the world’s largest marketplaces, Amazon, writes Bloomberg citing sources familiar with the investigation. Despite the fact that the deadline for filing a lawsuit has not yet been determined, the interlocutors of the agency claim that charges may be brought forward in the spring.
The FTC, which is tasked with protecting consumer rights and overseeing antitrust compliance, has been investigating Amazon for several years, Bloomberg notes. The investigation began back in 2019 during the presidency of Donald Trump.
The US Antimonopoly Service also audits the company’s activities. The agency is investigating the acquisition of One Medical’s parent company 1Life Healthcare Inc. for $3.5 billion, as well as a deal to buy vacuum cleaner maker Roomba iRobot Corp. for $1.65 billion. According to Bloomberg, these transactions will be included in the FTC lawsuit.
Amazon has been repeatedly accused in the US and Europe of abuse of dominance and violating the rights of independent merchants. In July 2020, Amazon was criticized in a congressional hearing for harassing independent sellers. It was claimed that the company reviews their documentation before launching a product and then brings similar products to the market.
Amazon founder Jeff Bezos argued that this was not part of his company’s policy, but he “cannot guarantee that this policy has never been violated.” In April 2021, US trade associations formed a national coalition that will push for stronger retail antitrust laws, including those against Amazon influence.
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