Austrian authorities opened an investigation against Amazon
The Austrian Federal Competition Authority (BWB) has launched an investigation against Amazon due to its likely misuse of its position in the market and the preference of its own products for Austrian retailers. This information was shared by AFP with reference to the statement of the Ministry. “The digital world is not a legal vacuum,” BWB head Theodor Thanner said in a statement. “Companies operating on a global scale must adhere to applicable Austrian laws and regulations. The outcome might be commitments, an application for a fine or an application for termination of infringements to the Cartel Court.” The BWB said that an investigation had been launched after receiving complaints in December 2018 regarding probable “unfair trade actions” by Amazon. According to these complaints, the American company, in particular, suddenly and unreasonably deleted accounts of Austrian retailers. The Austrian department said that the American retailer could also, by its actions, “discri...