Russia’s antimonopoly watchdog reports cartel activity among wireless earphone sellers
The Federal Antimonopoly Service of Russia, known as FAS, has identified a cartel scheme among sellers of wireless headphones. The disclosure appeared on the official Telegram channel of the Ministry.
Investigation findings show that participants coordinated their actions through a shared messaging chat to keep prices high and curb competition. The scheme spanned from 2023 to 2024, with members aligning price hikes, supervising adherence to the agreements, and discussing penalties for participants who strayed from the plan. Efforts extended beyond ordinary market behavior as some members opted to operate in shadow markets by supplying products to independent traders who refused to join the conspiracy, then shipping goods to remote regions or even abroad where they were effectively left unsold.
In addition, the cartel members undertook acts to undermine rivals by artificially lowering competitors’ reputations on major trading platforms. This was done by posting unfavorable reviews in an organized manner to distort consumer perception and reduce market shares.
FAS Russia has initiated formal proceedings against those involved in the conspiracy. If the case advances to conviction, penalties will be determined through the usual process, including potential fines that reflect the scale of harm to competition. A turnover-based penalty could reach up to 15 percent of the violator’s annual income, serving as a strong incentive to deter similar breaches in the future. [Source: Federal Antimonopoly Service of Russia, official materials]
Previously, the agency raised questions about corporate choices in the tech sector, such as why some Russian firms hesitate to switch to domestic software solutions. This context underscores ongoing discussions about competition, market openness, and regulatory responses in Russia’s consumer electronics landscape. [Official briefing and monitoring reports]