A PYMNTS Company

EU: Dawn raids go high tech

By  |  October 17, 2013

The recent dawn raids of France-based telecom operator Orange SA were a testament to the growing importance of technology in antitrust investigations, say reports.

    Get the Full Story

    Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access to all PYMNTS content — no additional logins required.

    yesSubscribe to our daily newsletter, PYMNTS Today.

    By completing this form, you agree to receive marketing communications from PYMNTS and to the sharing of your information with our sponsor, if applicable, in accordance with our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions.

    The European Commission reportedly seized the iPhone of Orange CEO Stephane Richard in part of the regulator’s probe of allegations the wireless company abused its dominant position. Mobile phones from execs at Deutsche Telekom and Telefonica SA were also confiscated in other raids, according to reports.

    Such practice is now considered commonplace among antitrust regulators, which depend upon electronic data analysis to properly conduct their investigations.

    Technological analysis was a major part of the LIBOR probes, say reports, as authorities can now seize not only cell phones, but also records of instant messages, DVDs, tablets and laptops.

    Cloud-data were collected by regulators in Europe last May during raids of BP, Royal Dutch Shell and Statoil as part of the Commission’s investigation into the oil market.

    It’s all part of the Commission’s strategy of using technology to its advantage. Hogan Lovells International LLP lawyer Peter Citron said the Commission “has sharpened its IT search methods over recent years, which make it less likely than ever that they will miss the smoking gun.”

    Full content: Bloomberg

    Want more news? Subscribe to CPI’s free daily newsletter for more headlines and updates on antitrust developments around the world.