E.U. Opens Antitrust Investigation Into Amazon's Practices

[engine]

The European Commission has opened an antitrust investigation into Amazon's possible anti-competitive approach to independent retailers selling on its marketplace.

Commissioner Margrethe Vestager, in charge of competition policy, said: "European consumers are increasingly shopping online. E-commerce has boosted retail competition and brought more choice and better prices. We need to ensure that large online platforms don't eliminate these benefits through anti-competitive behaviour. I have therefore decided to take a very close look at Amazon's business practices and its dual role as marketplace and retailer, to assess its compliance with EU competition rules.”

[ec.europa.eu...]

Earlier story
Amazon Could Be Facing E.U. Antitrust Investigation [webmasterworld.com]

[ember]

Amazon is based in the United States. To heck with the EU. It's very simple. If anyone doesn't like the way Amazon operates, then shop elsewhere. Or doesn't freedom of choice exist in the EU countries?

Be careful. You'll be accused of pro-American bias when it comes to tech companies.

[graeme_p]

@IanCP, good point and completely correct.

Be careful. You'll be accused of pro-American bias when it comes to tech companies.

It is biased to think thinking that the European operations of American companies (in this case really a European company owned by an American company) should be exempt from European law - unless you are prepared to exempt foreign companies operating in the US from American law that is.

[tangor]

I need to do a little more investigation, but it appears the EU tax is on TOP of existing taxations which have been in place for years ...

ie. Something Different.

[satarsaadat]

How can I adapt to these changes?
Promoting more buying is a capitalist policy