Sources: the FTC and 20+ state AGs plan to sue Amazon for allegedly making tens of billions over seven years by manipulating ad prices on its retail platform (Dave Michaels/Wall Street Journal)

The Federal Trade Commission and more than 20 state attorneys general have filed a lawsuit accusing Amazon of inflating advertising costs on its retail site, alleging the company extracted tens of billions of dollars in excess fees over a seven-year period. The complaint alleges Amazon used its platform dominance to manipulate ad pricing, violating antitrust and consumer-protection laws.