Amazon Hit by German Warning Over Price Controls on Marketplace

Amazon.com Inc. was warned by Germany’s antitrust watchdog that price controls for retailers on its marketplace are likely to violate national and European Union laws.

The Federal Cartel Office said it told Amazon that — in its preliminary assessment — the company’s policing of how much retailers charge runs contrary to regulations for the digital economy and fair competition.

“Competition in the online retail business in Germany is largely determined by Amazon’s rules for the platform,” Andreas Mundt, the regulator’s president, said in a statement on Monday. “Since Amazon competes directly with other retailers on its platform, influencing competitors’ ...