A PYMNTS Company

Italy: Samsung handed EUR 3 mln antitrust fine

By  |  February 13, 2017

Italy’s antitrust watchdog AGCM has fined Samsung’s Italian subsidiary a total of over EUR 3 million for “misleading and aggressive commercial practices” and unauthorised collection of personal data following a probe launched after the regulator received complaints from consumer associations Federconsumatori Palermo and the National Consumers Union. Above all, the watchdog said Samsung’s advertising presented a serious lack of information on the nature of the promotion, on the conditions, limitations and procedures to be followed to obtain a promised prize or advantage.

    Get the Full Story

    Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access to all PYMNTS content — no additional logins required.

    Subscribe to our daily newsletter, PYMNTS Today.

    By completing this form, you agree to receive marketing communications from PYMNTS and to the sharing of your information with our sponsor, if applicable, in accordance with our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions.

    The second aggressive commercial practice denounced by the antitrust body referred to the collection of customer personal data for marketing purposes adopted by Samsung until 15 August 2016. The company was accused of forcing customers to provide a range of personal data to access promotions with the promise of prizes.

    We’d love to be your preferred source for news.

    Please add us to your preferred sources list so our news, data and interviews show up in your feed. Thanks!

    Add as Preferred Source

    In a statement, Samsung completely rejected the AGCM’s findings and said it was considering appealing the fine before the Regional Administrative Court of Lazio, the main Italian administrative court of first instance.

    Full Content: Telecom Paper

    Want more news? Subscribe to CPI’s free daily newsletter for more headlines and updates on antitrust developments around the world.