California Attorney General Rob Bonta filed for an immediate halt to Amazon's alleged price-fixing scheme that forces vendors to raise prices across the economy. Bonta claims Amazon leverages its dominant position to control pricing both on and off its platform, potentially inflating prices nationwide.

The scheme operates through Amazon's Prime program and Buy Box algorithm, which allegedly prevents vendors from offering lower prices elsewhere. By controlling access to Prime customers through its Fulfillment by Amazon service, Amazon dictates pricing conditions that extend beyond its platform, affecting the broader retail market.

With $426 billion in North American online shopping revenue and third-party prices rising at 7% annually—double the inflation rate—the alleged conspiracy impacts millions of households. Bonta's request for an injunction suggests strong evidence, potentially forcing Amazon to change its pricing practices before the scheduled 2027 trials.