Italy fines Amazon 10 million euros for alleged unfair commercial practices

Italy’s antitrust authority has fined two subsidiaries of Amazon 10 million euros ($10.70 million) for alleged unfair commercial practices, the regulator said on Wednesday.

According to the watchdog, Amazon has “significantly restricted consumers freedom of choice” by automatically pre-setting the ‘Subscribe&Save’ option, for regular scheduled deliveries rather than one-off purchases, for a wide selection of products.

“The pre-ticking of recurring purchase induces one to periodically buy a product – even without the effective need – thus limiting one’s freedom of choice,” the antitrust said in a statement.

Amazon was not immediately available for comment.