Agents from the Inspections Unit have specific, advanced equipment and software for collecting information and accessing data.
Take an in-depth look at inspections, known as “dawn raids” in competition law.
01.
When the Autorité de la concurrence suspects anticompetitive practices, it requests authorisation from the liberty and custody judge. By ordinance, the judge authorises the General Rapporteur of the Autorité to conduct dawn raids of the companies concerned.
02.
The agents from the Inspections Unit arrive unannounced and at the same time at the target locations, notably company headquarters and sometimes even the homes of executives or sales managers.
03.
When they arrive, the agents place a tamperproof seal on the target offices, in order to block access and prevent evidence from disappearing during the inspection.
04.
On site, the agents collect all relevant evidence: computer data (computers, tablets, email servers, smartphones, hard drives, etc.) and handwritten documents (notes, notebooks, etc.).
05.
The items seized on site are then placed under seal before being transferred to the Autorité, where they undergo in-depth analysis in a computer forensics laboratory.
HOW TO BECOME A WHISTLEBLOWER
HOW TO MAKE A REPORT TO THE AUTORITÉ DE LA CONCURRENCE:
- Electronically, directly on the Autorité website using a specific form.
- By telephone, on a dedicated number (+33 (0)1 55 04 00 05) where the whistleblower can record a message setting out the facts.
- By post, using a double envelope system (in accordance with the instructions on the page “Find out more about the whistleblower system”).
