Online Sales Boom Prompts EU Re-Think on Antitrust Rules

(Bloomberg) -- More online sales and the emergence of internet platforms are forcing a re-think of rules governing sales and distribution, European Union regulators said Tuesday.

The European Commission said in a statement that it sees a need to adapt the existing “vertical block exemption regulation,” citing issues such as pacts to keep retail prices the same and restrictions on using price-comparison websites.

Siri, Alexa Targeted as EU Probes ‘Internet of Things’

The EU’s antitrust arm said it will seek more feedback in coming weeks, will publish draft rules next year and aims to have revised rules in place by May 31, 2022. The commission separately sought comments on subsidy rules to build out internet networks.

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