Наталя Хандусенко Hot News 28 March 2025, 08:29

AMCU fined BlaBlaCar over UAH 400,000: what is known

The Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine fined the company "I-Travels" LLC, which operates BlaBlaCar in Ukraine, UAH 424,486.

What is the reason for the fine?

The company did not provide timely information requested by the committee.

"On March 27, 2025, the Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine adopted a decision recognizing the actions of LLC "I-Travels", in the form of failure to submit information to the Committee at the request of the Deputy Chairman of the Committee - the state commissioner within the time limit established by him, as a violation of the legislation on the protection of economic competition and imposed a fine on the company in the amount of 424,486 hryvnias," the AMCU said in a statement.

The committee noted that they continue to monitor compliance with legislation on the protection of economic competition in the market for providing car sharing services using online platforms.

It was within the framework of this control that the Deputy Chairman of the Committee sent a request for information to E-Travels LLC, which operates the online carpooling platform BlaBlaCarr, available on the website, on the mobile version of the site, and as a mobile application.

The company was supposed to respond to the request within 15 calendar days from the date of its receipt, but E-Travels LLC did not respond within the established period.

"Given the above facts, the Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine recognized such actions of LLC "I-Travels" as a violation provided for in paragraph 13 of Article 50 of the Law of Ukraine "On Protection of Economic Competition" in the form of failure to provide information at the request of the Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine," the committee added.

Reaction of LLC "I-Travels" to the fine

According to the committee, E-Travels LLC cooperated with the AMCU during the consideration of the case.

"The company did not deny the fact of failure to provide information upon request, but noted that this was due to a failure in internal communication of LLC "I-Travels", and not to deliberate actions to evade the Committee's request. In addition, LLC "I-Travels" provided the requested information in full, having learned about the fact of failure to provide information," the agency noted.

These circumstances were taken into account when determining the amount of the fine, which was reduced.

UPD. The Antimonopoly Committee found signs of monopoly in BlaBlaCar. What does the regulator not like?

3 hours of interviews with at least 6 top people. BlaBlaCar opened a vacancy for a communications officer and immediately warned that there would be no quick hiring.