FTC defence peek on Amazon.com

During a two-hour company-wide meeting, Amazon.com’s top lawyer, David Zapolsky, provided a preview of the potential defense against the US Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) antitrust lawsuit. He expressed confidence in Amazon’s ability to defend itself, deeming the company’s tactics as “absolutely defensible behavior.” Zapolsky quoted Taylor Swift lyrics to reassure employees, suggesting that adopting the attitude of “haters gonna hate” and “shaking it off” is appropriate amid scrutiny. The FTC’s lawsuit, filed on September 26, accuses Amazon of operating an illegal monopoly and interfering with sellers trying to offer lower prices on other platforms. Zapolsky addressed the FTC’s concerns, stating that not featuring prices higher than competitors is defensible behavior, emphasizing the importance of customer trust. He also clarified that sellers using Amazon’s warehouses and delivery services do so voluntarily. Amazon has previously stated its disagreement with the FTC’s allegations and intends to defend itself in court.