Share

Amazon: Bezos will testify in tech competition probe

accreditation
Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos. (Photo: Jason Redmond, AFP)
Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos. (Photo: Jason Redmond, AFP)

Amazon.com told congressional investigators examining the market power of the largest technology companies that it would make Chief Executive Officer Jeff Bezos available to testify this summer.

A lawyer for the e-commerce company sent the House Judiciary Committee a letter on Sunday saying Amazon was "committed to cooperating with your inquiry and will make the appropriate executive available to testify," according to the letter, a copy of which was seen by Bloomberg. "This includes making Jeff Bezos available to testify at a hearing with the other CEOs this summer," the letter said.

The House Judiciary Committee has been investigating competition in the technology sector, with a focus on how the largest companies run their sprawling digital platforms.

Bezos had been in a stand-off with Representative David Cicilline, who is leading the investigation and focused much of his ire on Amazon, over testimony. The Rhode Island Democrat has sought appearances by top tech company chiefs before wrapping the probe and recommending changes to antitrust law.

Amazon last month had resisted calls for Bezos to testify, saying only that the company was prepared to make "the appropriate Amazon executive" available.

Cicilline declined to comment.

The New York Times reported earlier on the letter. Jodi Seth, an Amazon spokeswoman, confirmed that the company would make Bezos available.

Amazon has "cooperated extensively" with investigators, Robert Kelner, of the law firm Covington & Burling, wrote. The letter went on to say Congress and the company would need to "resolve a number of questions" about the timing and format of such a hearing and outstanding document requests.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Rand - Dollar
18.25
-0.3%
Rand - Pound
23.08
-0.1%
Rand - Euro
19.79
-0.1%
Rand - Aus dollar
12.14
+0.1%
Rand - Yen
0.12
+0.0%
Platinum
1,060.10
-0.3%
Palladium
983.00
-1.0%
Gold
2,384.06
+0.3%
Silver
29.68
+0.3%
Brent Crude
83.27
+0.6%
Top 40
72,920
-0.4%
All Share
79,206
-0.4%
Resource 10
61,674
-0.7%
Industrial 25
111,322
-0.4%
Financial 15
17,192
-0.1%
All JSE data delayed by at least 15 minutes Iress logo
Company Snapshot
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE
Government tenders

Find public sector tender opportunities in South Africa here.

Government tenders
This portal provides access to information on all tenders made by all public sector organisations in all spheres of government.
Browse tenders