Amazon Faces Legal Action for Delayed Deliveries in Low-Income Communities in the US

New York, Dec 5 (NationPress) The attorney general of the US District of Columbia has filed a lawsuit against Amazon, claiming that the company has violated consumer protection laws by offering slower delivery services to Prime members in areas that have traditionally lower incomes.

In a groundbreaking complaint of this nature, submitted to the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, Attorney General Brian L. Schwalb stated on Wednesday that Amazon had intentionally and discreetly halted its fastest delivery service for nearly 50,000 Prime subscribers residing in specific ZIP codes associated with lower-income neighborhoods, as reported by Xinhua news agency.

The lawsuit alleges that for the past two years, Amazon has depended on external carriers such as United Parcel Service and the Postal Service to fulfill Prime deliveries in these regions. This has led to delivery times that are slower compared to those handled by Amazon's own delivery personnel serving other residents of Washington.

Schwalb remarked, "Amazon cannot surreptitiously determine that a dollar in one ZIP code is worth less than a dollar in another." He further stated, "We are taking legal action to put an end to this misleading behavior and ensure that residents of the District receive what they are entitled to for their payments."

The lawsuit adds to the increasing regulatory examination of Amazon's customer practices. According to The New York Times, the District of Columbia previously sued the company in 2021 over price-fixing allegations, a case that saw a revival by an appeals court in August. Additionally, last year, the Federal Trade Commission accused Amazon of unlawfully maintaining a monopoly over large segments of online retail by pressuring merchants and prioritizing its own offerings.