DIGITAL ECONOMY: PRACTICE AND FUTUROLOGY

Head of FAS Anti-Cartel Department, Andrey Tenischev, emphasized that antimonopoly regulation in the digital economy should support a balance between the two aspects.

On 5 December 2017, the III International Research-to-Practice Conference – “Antimonopoly Policy: Science, Practice” in Skolkovo Innovative Centre included a session on “Digital economy and cartels”.

“We need to determine where are we moving, which tools do we have, what is expected in the future and are we ready for tomorrow?”, emphasizedAndrey Tenischev. He talked about FAS practice on investigating cartels that use modern technologies. “Software development, undoubtedly, is our future, but it is also used by unfair businessmen to the detriment of the economy”, pointed outHead of FAS Anti-Cartel Department.

He gave examples of “digital cases” investigated by the Antimonopoly Service, in particular, a case against “LG Electronics RUS” Ltd. that is suspected of coordinating economic activity of their Smartphone’s resellers.

Andrey Tenischev outlined adverse practices conducted by a number of companies using auction robots, which can orchestrate tender collusion without direct human involvement.

Discussing the pressure for legislative changes, he underlined that the agreements are pursued through implicative actions, and oral or written agreements are rather rare. Most arrangements are negotiated with use computer technologies.