Collusion and discriminatory practices by urban transportation platforms

By Thomas Vink, 8th June 2023

Association Taxi Project 2.0 carried out pre-litigation research to support the preparation of a complaint(s) against ride-sharing companies in Spain. Taxi Project has been analysing the behaviour of dynamic pricing algorithms used by Uber, Bolt and Cabify in Spain. The algorithmic audit identified price patterns and correlation among the prices of the different platforms, indicating indirect fixing of prices through the algorithms, which could be a violation of competition law. Based on the results of their pre-litigation work Taxi Project are preparing a submission to the Spanish Competition Authority.

Additionally, Taxi Project’s analysed the Uber application for Android devices of Uber users. The analysis only relates to data processed through the private device of users and information generated by them. They are not looking at the data of Uber drivers. In their analysis, Taxi Project look at instances of inappropriate extraction and use of data from users.

Collusion and discriminatory practices by urban transportation platforms

Organisation Name

Association Taxi Project 2.0

Country/Jurisdiction

Spain

Amount Granted

EUR 12,849

Current Status

Ongoing

Grant type

Pre-litigation Research Support

Description

Association Taxi Project 2.0 carried out pre-litigation research to support the preparation of a complaint(s) against ride-sharing companies in Spain. Taxi Project has been analysing the behaviour of dynamic pricing algorithms used by Uber, Bolt and Cabify in Spain. The algorithmic audit identified price patterns and correlation among the prices of the different platforms, indicating indirect fixing of prices through the algorithms, which could be a violation of competition law. Based on the results of their pre-litigation work Taxi Project are preparing a submission to the Spanish Competition Authority.

Additionally, Taxi Project’s analysed the Uber application for Android devices of Uber users. The analysis only relates to data processed through the private device of users and information generated by them. They are not looking at the data of Uber drivers. In their analysis, Taxi Project look at instances of inappropriate extraction and use of data from users.

"The algorithmic audit identified price patterns and correlation among the prices of the different platforms, indicating indirect fixing of prices through the algorithms, which could be a violation of competition law"

Strategic Goal

To establish regulations granting rights against algorithm exploitation and data abuse by urban transportation platforms in Spain, protecting consumers and citizens from abuses related to their fundamental rights.

Organisation Name

Women’s Link Worldwide

Image credit: Photo by Tim Samuel from Pexels