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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.

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    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.

    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.

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