A PYMNTS Company

FTC Clashes with Amazon Over Antitrust Allegations

By  |  February 7, 2024

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and e-commerce giant Amazon have upped the stakes in their ongoing legal battle over allegations of anti-competitive and monopolistic behavior.

    Get the Full Story

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

    yesSubscribe 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 dispute reached a new milestone as Amazon sought to have the case dismissed, asserting that the practices in question have ultimately benefited consumers by lowering prices and are not unique to Amazon but rather common across the retail sector. Characterizing the FTC’s lawsuit as an “attack” on its business model, Amazon defended itself as one of America’s most consumer-focused companies.

    Read more: US FTC OKs $61.7M Settlement With Amazon Over Tips

    The FTC countered Amazon’s arguments, contending that the company’s actions have contributed to establishing a self-reinforcing monopoly that stifles competition and drives up prices across the internet. Describing the case as a “straightforward story of illegal conduct,” FTC attorneys emphasized Amazon’s status as a monopolist enriching itself at the expense of consumers.

    The stakes of the case are high, with Amazon’s legal team acknowledging the potential for “structural relief” sought by the FTC, which could potentially reshape the company’s business operations. Despite this acknowledgment, the exact changes the FTC is seeking remain unclear, and the legal proceedings are anticipated to be protracted, with resolution possibly years away.

    Source: Settle Times