Uzum Market files complaint, triggers case against YandexGo for reputation damage

According to the Committee’s official statement, Uzum Market filed a complaint claiming that a Yandex Market advertisement aired on television and social media platforms contained statements by YandexGo UB that amount to unfair competitive practices and harmed Uzum Market’s business reputation. The company requested regulatory action in response.

In light of the complaint, a Special Commission of the Competition Committee has launched a case against YandexGo UB for allegedly violating Article 21 of the Law “On Competition.” The antimonopoly authority has pledged to provide further updates once the investigation is complete.

What Yandex is accused of

Article 21 of the Law “On Competition” prohibits unfair competition by business entities or individuals acting in their interests against competitors. This includes actions such as:

• Defamation of competitors: Disseminating false, inaccurate, or distorted information about the quality and consumer characteristics of a competitor’s products, methods and conditions of their production and use, expected outcomes, suitability for specific purposes, and pricing — all of which may negatively affect a competitor's operations or reputation.
• Incorrect comparison: Using language or symbols that suggest superiority over a competitor's product without providing objective characteristics or comparative parameters.
• Misleading consumers: Providing false or deceptive information about the nature, production method and location, consumer properties, price, quality, or warranty obligations of the product.
• Unlawful use of trade secrets: Obtaining, using, or disclosing commercial or legally protected secrets, including scientific, technical, production, or trade information, without the owner's consent.
• Market obstruction: Taking actions that block a competitor's access to goods or financial markets or eliminate them from the market entirely.