Amazon loses bid to delay EU disclosure of online advertising information (NASDAQ:AMZN)

Updated 12:18pm: Includes comment from Amazon spokesperson.

The Court of Justice of the European Union ruled against Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN), denying the company’s efforts to delay a part of the EU’s content moderation law by keeping its online advertising information private.

The court ruled in favor of EU regulators saying the interests of the European Union prevail over Amazon’s (AMZN) material interests.

The case stems from the Digital Services Act which was enacted to prevent illegal and harmful activities online and the spread of disinformation. Under DSA rules, Amazon (AMZN) falls under the category of “Very Large Online Platform” which “pose particular risks in the dissemination of illegal content and societal harms.” Very large online platforms are those with over 45M users in the EU and most comply with the most stringent DSA rules.

Amazon (AMZN) subsequently challenged a DSA requirement to make public a repository which contained detailed information on its online advertising and asked for an interim measure that would prevent disclosure until a court ruled on the broader case.

In September, a lower court ruled in favor of Amazon (AMZN) but the decision was later overturned by the Court of Justice denying Amazon’s (AMZN) request arguing that that a suspension of the DSA order would “lead to a delay in the full achievement of the objectives of the Regulation on a Single Market for Digital Services and therefore potentially allow an online environment threatening fundamental rights to persist or develop.”

According to a statement from Amazon (AMZN) UK spokesperson James Lewis to Seeking Alpha, “We are disappointed with this decision, and maintain that Amazon doesn’t fit the description of a ‘Very Large Online Platform’ under the DSA, and should not be designated as such. Customer safety is a top priority for us at Amazon, and we continue to work closely with the EC with regard to our obligations under the DSA.”

Amazon (AMZN) shares were unchanged on Wednesday.