Back to back: Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) Asked the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission in December to investigate the antitrust violation requirements at the end of last year.
- Blumenthal said it is concerned that they could "stifle competition in the market and artificially inflate the prices of consumer goods."
- His request followed a May law review article, according to which the most-favored-nation requirements "used by online platforms can hurt competition by keeping prices high and discouraging entry on the market".
- Amazon has abandoned the obligation imposed on traders on its platform in Europe under regulatory pressure in 2013.
What they say: "Amazon's wise and welcome decision comes only after aggressive advocacy and vigilance that has forced Amazon to abandon its abusive contract term," said Blumenthal, while also launching a broader call for antitrust investigations of large corporations. technology.
- Amazon declined to comment on the change.
The big picture: Amazon has become a symbol for progressives of the detrimental effects of corporate power at a time of increasing consolidation. Last week, Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Candidate for the Presidency, said that Congress should pass a law prohibiting large corporations from managing and owning participants on the same online platform.
- This proposal would prevent Amazon from selling its private label products, such as the popular AmazonBasics batteries, which would hurt other brands sold on its platform.
