CARTELS: AMO fined an undertaking for refusing to submit key information

The undertaking operates in the field of hosting and domain services.

On 1 October 2024 the Antimonopoly Office of the Slovak Republic (AMO) issued a decision imposing a fine of more than EUR 60 thousands on an undertaking operating in the field of hosting and domain services.

In the framework of investigating a potential cartel between undertakings providing the management of hazardous waste from hospitals and hospital facilities, AMO had conducted an unannounced inspection. Communication from one of undertakings had been found only from the period immediately before the inspection, while approximately 500 000 emails had been detected as deleted. However, the e-mail communication in question had been (and has been) still at the provider of hosting and domain services, from which AMO had requested it in accordance with the Act. However, he had refused to provide it despite repeated calls.

Since it is the key source of information, without which it is impossible to continue investigating the cartel, AMO imposed a fine on the undertaking at the upper part of statutory limit.

The AMO's decision has not come into force yet, the undertaking may file an appeal against it.