EU: Dawn raids go high tech

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.

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

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