The company claims it will give all sellers equal treatment:
Amazon is making some significant commitments in an attempt to escape EU fines for allegedly misusing seller data. The European Commission is asking for public feedback on Amazon proposals that theoretically give third-party sellers a better chance of competing with Amazon's direct sales. The company has pledged to avoid using private seller data in situations where there's competition with Marketplace shops, whether it's obtained through automated tools or employee access.
The firm has also promised "non-discriminatory" terms for third parties selling to Prime subscribers, including a choice in delivery and logistics services. Amazon also won't use participants' Prime data to give its own logistics a boost, according to one proposal. In another commitment, Amazon vowed "equal treatment" when ranking sellers in the Buy Box section that lets you quickly purchase goods. Runners-up will also have a better chance at grabbing your attention — you'll see a second offer in the Buy Box if it's substantially different in terms of price or delivery.
In a statement, Amazon told Engadget it still felt the EU was "unfairly" targeting the company with legal efforts like the Digital Markets Act, but that it "engaged constructively" with regulators to address issues. [...]
[...] With that said, Amazon won't avoid further trouble even if the EU deal moves forward. It's still facing a reported SEC investigation in the US, not to mention a Senate bill meant to help third-parties selling through platforms like Amazon.
(Score: 2, Insightful) by Runaway1956 on Thursday July 21 2022, @04:07AM
Promises are easy to make, and easy to break. I want to see substantial fines levied. No promises needed, just make misconduct untenable to the stock holders.
Abortion is the number one killed of children in the United States.
(Score: 2) by Opportunist on Thursday July 21 2022, @05:30AM
"Your honor, I promise I won't kill again, can I go home now?"
(Score: 5, Insightful) by janrinok on Thursday July 21 2022, @06:17AM
If Amazon have an 'alternative' scheme to avoid paying this fine, you can bet that they already know how they can game their new proposal without contravening anything that they are currently promising.
The problem is that no person is actually being penalised for their actions. As long as nothing affects their take home pay they can live with not making quite as many billions of dollars this year as they did last year.
Only Bezos will be thinking about that, and to him it is just part of doing business.
Have I got a better solution that is acceptable? No, but that doesn't mean I have to accept the status quo either.
(Score: 2) by inertnet on Thursday July 21 2022, @07:28AM (3 children)
There's still a difference between 'fair' and 'fairer'.
(Score: 2) by Opportunist on Thursday July 21 2022, @10:51AM (2 children)
The same as between "good" and "better" as the answer for "How do you feel?"
(Score: 3, Insightful) by Freeman on Thursday July 21 2022, @03:40PM (1 child)
Better can still be horrifically awful. Just not screaming in pain, right this very second. Or slightly less excruciating pain, still screaming, but not as bad. Just, because something is better, doesn't make it good.
Joshua 1:9 "Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee"
(Score: 2) by Opportunist on Thursday July 21 2022, @05:41PM
Yes, yes, you understood the comment...