Amazon shares fall on FTC's hidden advertising fee allegations

Amazon's stock declined following allegations by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regarding the company's advertising practices. The regulator claims that Amazon artificially raised base prices during peak shopping periods and added hidden surcharges to sellers' advertising expenditures. These allegations have raised new questions about the transparency of the company's advertising revenues. According to the FTC's claims, Amazon manipulated pricing mechanisms that affect sellers' advertising budgets, particularly during critical periods such as the holiday season. The agency stated that these practices led to billions of dollars in hidden fees and negatively impacted sellers' competitive conditions. Amazon has not yet provided an official response to these accusations. This development is seen as part of increasing regulatory pressure on Amazon's advertising business model. The company's advertising segment has become one of its primary revenue sources in recent years, and such allegations could prompt investors to reassess the company's growth expectations. The decline in the stock price indicates that the market is beginning to price in this risk. Experts suggest that if the FTC's allegations are confirmed, Amazon may be forced to review its advertising pricing policies, which could pressure the company's margins. Additionally, this situation could trigger similar investigations into the advertising practices of other major technology companies. This is not investment advice.