Finance
Apple and Amazon took too long to remove anti-competitive clauses, Spanish watchdog says
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on February 25, 2026
2 min readLast updated: February 25, 2026
Quick Summary
Spain’s CNMC says Apple and Amazon took too long to drop anti‑competitive clauses in their 2018 deal. The firms were fined €194m in 2023; payments are suspended on appeal. A 2025 non‑compliance finding could bring further penalties.
MADRID, Feb 25 (Reuters) - Apple and Amazon took too long to take out anti-competitive clauses outlining Amazon's conditions as an Apple distributor that the companies had been told to remove immediately, Spain's competition regulator ruled on Wednesday.
The CNMC regulator fined the two companies 194 million euros ($228 million) in total in July 2023 over those clauses and ordered their immediate removal from distribution contracts. It said they unfairly restricted the number of Apple resellers on Amazon's website in Spain. The latest finding of infringement could mean a further fine.
The regulator had also alleged at the time that the clauses limited the spaces on Amazon's Spanish website where Apple competitors' products could be advertised and prevented Amazon from running marketing campaigns offering Apple customers competing products from other brands.
APPLE DISAGREES WITH THE DECISION
In an email statement to Reuters, Apple said it respected the CNMC but disagreed with its decision, adding it had always complied with authorities' orders.
"We will continue to work to protect our customers from counterfeit products and offer them the assurance that they are receiving a genuine Apple product when they take it out of the box," the company added.
Amazon could not immediately be reached for comment.
Last October, the watchdog proposed opening a new investigation into the companies' failure to take action under the cease-and-desist order until May 2025, which is when they removed the clauses.
At the time, the regulator said there were indications of an infringement as a result of non-compliance.
The companies appealed the CNMC's 2023 decision before the country's High Court and the original fine has been suspended pending judgment.
($1 = 0.8493 euros)
(Reporting by David Latona; Editing by Charlie Devereux, Emelia Sithole-Matarise and Barbara Lewis)
Key Takeaways
- •Spain’s CNMC found Apple and Amazon delayed removing anti-competitive contract clauses until May 2025.
- •The watchdog fined both firms €194.15 million in July 2023 and ordered immediate removal of the clauses.
- •The original fine is suspended pending a High Court appeal; further penalties may result from non-compliance.
- •Clauses restricted Apple resellers on Amazon.es, limited rival ads and curbed marketing to Apple customers.
- •CNMC proposed a new probe in October 2025 over failure to act under its cease-and-desist order.
Frequently Asked Questions about Apple and Amazon took too long to remove anti-competitive clauses, Spanish watchdog says
1What is the main topic?
Spain’s CNMC ruled Apple and Amazon were too slow to remove anti-competitive clauses from their Amazon–Apple distribution contracts, following a 2023 fine.
2How much were the fines and what is the status?
The CNMC imposed €194.15 million in fines in July 2023. Payment is suspended while a High Court appeal is pending.
3What did the clauses allegedly do?
They restricted the number of Apple resellers on Amazon.es, limited ad space for rival brands, and curbed Amazon’s marketing of competing products to Apple customers.
