Italy fines Amazon €1.13 billion for abuse of market dominance
Italy's competition authority slapped a €1.13 billion ($1.28 billion) fine on Amazon for abusing its dominant position in the market and harming competitors in the e-commerce logistics service, Politico reported.
The Autorità Garante della Concorrenza e del Mercato (AGCM) said on Thursday that Amazon was giving sellers using its logistics service, called “Fulfillment by Amazon,” advantages in terms of visibility and sales, including access to its “Prime” label. Amazon said it "strongly" disagrees with the AGCM's decision and will appeal.
The large fine comes amid increased antitrust scrutiny of Big Tech worldwide. The European Commission has opened an investigation similar to the Italian one that focuses on the rest of the EU.
“Amazon holds a position of absolute dominance in the Italian market for intermediation services on marketplaces, which has allowed it to favor its own logistics service,” the Italian regulator said in a statement, adding that Amazon’s conduct was “particularly serious.”