One of the most evident trends in recent years is the exponential growth in the volume of available information and, with it, the development of new tools for data analysis and processing.

Competition authorities are adapting our structures and instruments to leverage these new developments by creating intelligence units.

The Economic Intelligence Unit (UIE) is the CNMC unit responsible for:

• Applying statistics and artificial intelligence to improve the proactive detection of anticompetitive practices.
• Supporting decision-making by the Competition Directorate through data analysis using business intelligence tools, as well as improving the effectiveness of inspections, for example, by obtaining information using OSINT (Open Source Intelligence) techniques.
• Analyzing behaviors derived from this new reality, such as algorithmic collusion. This is a form of collusion where companies use computer calculations to coordinate their actions in a way that mutually benefits them to the detriment of consumers. This form of collusion can be difficult to detect as it is carried out automatically and subtly.
• Managing the program for reporting competition violations, for which it has different channels for anonymous citizen collaboration, allowing it to become aware of indications of anticompetitive practices while maintaining anonymity and confidentiality of such collaboration at all times.
• Handling procedures for referring anticompetitive indications detected in public procurement procedures that come to its attention in the exercise of its functions (arts. 69.2, 132.3, and 150.1 of Law 9/2017 on Public Sector Contracts).

Access the Anonymous Competition Informants System