California Attorney’s Office indicted Amazon.com, Inc AMZN for allegedly inflating prices, suppressing competition and violating antitrust laws with contracts from third-party suppliers and wholesalers, The Wall Street Journal reports.

An investigation in 2020 sparked the lawsuit. Attorney General Rob Bonta sought to stop Amazon’s policies preventing merchants from offering lower prices through competitor sites.

Wholesalers were fined if Amazon did not lower its prices to match those of its competitors and its profit margin fell below a certain minimum.

The plaintiff asked the court to prevent Amazon from complying with these guidelines and to appoint an observer. It also sought unspecified damages for damages to the state’s economy and $2,500 for each violation of the state’s civil and professional codes proven in court.

Amazon has allegedly engaged in illegal practices since at least 2012. Previously, the District of Columbia had taken criminal action against Amazon.

The Federal Trade Commission, the European Union and a congressional committee were also investigating Amazon.

Amazon in July agreed to share more data with competitors and offer a wider choice of products for buyers in a deal with EU antitrust authorities that ends two of the most high-profile probes in Brussels.

The UK competition watchdog announced it was investigating Amazon over possible undermining competitors on its platform. The German competition authority said Amazon had to adhere to stricter rules than smaller competitors.

The US big techs and the Chinese big techs are under intense scrutiny worldwide for exploiting their influence above the smaller one Player.

Price promotion: AMZN shares closed up 1.36% at $128.55 on Wednesday.

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