Federal court denies Competition Bureau access to Amazon data

The Federal Court of Appeal upheld a decision blocking the competition commissioner from obtaining Amazon's data that the regulator said would help prove the company permits fake reviews. The ruling constrains the commissioner's evidence-gathering and could slow or weaken any enforcement action; direct financial impact on Amazon is likely limited, though reputational and regulatory risks remain.

Analysis

The Federal Court of Appeal upheld a decision blocking the competition commissioner from obtaining Amazon's data that the regulator said would help prove the company permits fake reviews. The ruling constrains the commissioner's evidence-gathering and could slow or weaken any enforcement action; direct financial impact on Amazon is likely limited, though reputational and regulatory risks remain.