Competition Authority launches investigation into Sahibinden.com

A 'competition investigation' has been opened by the Competition Authority into the online sales channel sahibinden.com. In a statement from the Competition Authority, it was stated that an investigation was launched under Article 6 of the Competition Law on the grounds that the company used data obtained from various platforms it owns to strengthen its dominant position. The Board also decided to impose interim measures on the company until the process is completed.

COMPANY'S MARKET IMPACT TO BE EXAMINED

In the statement made by the Board, it was stated that it is being examined whether Sahibinden uses user data obtained from its online platform services for corporate and individual members' vehicle sales activities in the second-hand vehicle trading market.

In addition, whether the intensive advertising expenditures for the Otobid service increase the company's market power will also be evaluated within the scope of the investigation.

PRELIMINARY RESEARCH FINDINGS DEEMED SERIOUS AND SUFFICIENT

Stating that the findings obtained during the preliminary research process were deemed serious and sufficient, the Competition Board pointed out that Sahibinden's data consolidation policies could constitute a violation of competition.

In this context, with the decision taken at the board's meeting on January 16, 2025, it was ruled that interim measures be applied until a final decision is reached.

DECISION TO APPLY INTERIM MEASURES

The statement said, "It has been decided with number 25-02/47-29 to apply interim measures to ensure that the displays regarding the Otobid service on Sahibinden's homepage are not designed in a way that overshadows the option to post an ad, that the redirections directed at individual users during the ad posting stage are prevented, and that all information/data, including user and ad information/data obtained through online platform services for corporate members' vehicle sales activities and online platform services for individual members' vehicle sales activities, are prevented from being used in the online second-hand vehicle trading market."

The Competition Board will announce its final decision after the investigation process is completed.

News Source: 12punto