The Portuguese Competition Authority (AdC) has initiated an investigation into alleged abuse of a dominant position in the online real estate advertising market. This investigation concerns practices that reportedly occurred between 2022 and 2024, involving the leading business group in this sector in Portugal.

The focus of the investigation is on practices that may have restricted access to the dominant online real estate advertising portal for certain real estate agencies that utilized a competitor's customer relationship management (CRM) software. These restrictions are believed to have been implemented to exclude the competitor from the market.

The AdC has issued a Statement of Objections to the company owning the dominant portal, its parent company, and three individuals in management roles, indicating a reasonable likelihood of an infringement decision. The investigation was prompted by a complaint submitted on December 20, 2023, which suggested that the business group may have engaged in anti-competitive practices.

During the ongoing investigative phase, the AdC is allowing the involved parties to exercise their rights of defense and respond to the evidence gathered. The final decision will be made once this phase concludes.

An abuse of a dominant position occurs when a company unlawfully exploits its significant market power, negatively impacting competitors or consumers. Such practices can include imposing unfair trading conditions, engaging in margin squeeze, applying predatory pricing, refusing to supply goods or services, or discriminating against other businesses.

The AdC emphasizes the importance of competition in digital markets and aims to enhance awareness among stakeholders regarding the detection and investigation of abuses of dominance, as these practices significantly affect consumers.