| Author (Corporate) | Cardiff EDC (Compiler) |
|---|---|
| Series Details | AT.40462 |
| Publication Date | 2019- |
| Content Type | Overview |
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Summary: Reports and information relating to an in-depth investigation conducted by the European Commission on whether Amazon's use of sensitive data from independent retailers who sell on its marketplace is in breach of EU competition rules. Further information: Amazon features a dual role as a platform - it sells products on its website as a retailer and provides a marketplace where independent sellers can sell products direcyl to consumers. In the latter scenario, Amazon continuously collects data about the activity on its platform. The in-depth investigation - announced by the European Commission on 17 July 2019 - aims to look into the standard agreements between Amazon and marketplace sellers and the role of data in the selection of the winners of the Buy Box and the impact of Amazon's potential use of competitively sensitive marketplace seller information on that selection. On 10 November 2020, the European Commission informed Amazon of its preliminary view that it breached EU antitrust rules by distorting competition in online retail markets. The Commission took issue with Amazon systematically relying on non-public business data of independent sellers who sell on its marketplace, to the benefit of Amazon's own retail business, which directly competes with those third party sellers. A Statement of Objection was sent to the company for an opportunity to address the preliminary conclusions. A separate investigation was also launched into the possible preferential treatment of Amazon's own retail offers and those of marketplace sellers that use Amazon's logistics and delivery services. |
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| Subject Categories | Business and Industry, Internal Markets |
| Subject Tags | Competition Law | Policy, Digital Economy |
| Keywords | Antitrust | Cartels | Dominant Position | Market Abuse, Data Privacy | Protection |
| International Organisations | European Union [EU] |
