Spain: Closed CNMC investigation into Amazon, Booking and Tripadvisor over alleged acts of unfair competition

On 22 November 2023, the National Markets and Competition Commission (CNMC) concluded its review of a complaint lodged by the Organization of Consumers and Users (OCU) against Amazon, Booking and Tripadvisor. The complaint accused the platforms of anti-competitive practices, including the publication of false seller reviews. The CNMC found insufficient evidence to support these claims. The CNMC noted that the platforms employ various measures to detect and address fraudulent reviews, including penalising responsible parties, initiating legal actions, and cooperating with ongoing investigations. However, the CNMC identified potential consumer protection regulation violations. Consequently, it has referred the complaint to the consumer rights authority for further examination.