LI Network
Published on:19 July 2023 at 11:59 IST
The investigation revealed that Amazon and Apple had reached agreements in 2018 that restricted the free competition of third-party sellers who offered Apple products on Amazon’s platform, particularly impacting smaller retailers. These agreements limited the capacity for third parties to advertise Apple products on Amazon, thereby hindering fair competition.
According to the regulator, these actions potentially impeded competition in the sectors of online sales of electronic products and marketing services for third-party retailers through online platforms like Amazon’s Marketplace in Spain. The antitrust watchdog expressed concerns about the negative impact on market dynamics caused by such behavior.
Furthermore, the companies are accused of striking a deal that constrained Amazon’s ability to direct advertising towards customers of Apple products or provide them with alternative electronic products from competing manufacturers.
The fines imposed on Amazon and Apple highlight Spain’s commitment to ensuring fair competition in the digital marketplace. By penalizing anti-competitive practices, the country aims to foster a level playing field for all businesses and protect the interests of consumers.
Both Amazon and Apple have faced scrutiny over their market dominance and treatment of third-party sellers in various jurisdictions worldwide. The recent fine in Spain serves as a reminder that antitrust authorities are actively monitoring and taking action against such practices to promote healthy competition and safeguard consumer choice.