FTC Sues Amazon Over Ads

The FTC and states accuse Amazon of secretly inflating ad prices by billions.

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FTC lawsuit alleges Amazon has been ‘secretly and systematically’ overcharging for ads

Federal Trade Commission and 22 states sue Amazon over inflated advertising prices

Amazon rigged billions in ad pricing, lawsuit from states and US watchdog alleges

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The Federal Trade Commission and 22 states sued Amazon in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington on Monday, alleging it secretly overcharged about 1.2 million advertising customers. The complaint says Amazon manipulated its online search-ad auctions and imposed undisclosed surcharges for seven years, raising the prices brands and sellers paid to promote products. Regulators allege the practices generated more than $20 billion for Amazon and that higher ad costs were passed on to shoppers through prices for goods sold on its marketplace.

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