This podcast describes the extensive antitrust case De Coster et al v. Amazon, in which a federal judge has certified a class of nearly 288 million American consumers.

The plaintiff alleges that Amazon hinders competition and keeps prices artificially high through a policy that prohibits third-party sellers from offering their products at a lower price elsewhere. Amazon allegedly enforces this using algorithms such as the "Buy Box," whereby sellers offering discounts on other sites are penalized with reduced visibility.

Although the judge confirmed the status of the class action in 2025, Amazon denies the allegations, and the trial is not scheduled until June 2027. Consumers who have purchased at least five items from third-party sellers on the platform since 2017 are automatically included unless they opt out by August 31, 2026.  ...