The French Competition Authority has signaled a new phase of scrutiny within the private passenger transport industry following a targeted enforcement action. On February 17, 2026, the Authority’s investigation services conducted an unannounced search and seizure operation at the premises of a company suspected of engaging in anti-competitive behavior. This “dawn raid” is an important step in the regulator’s efforts to maintain a level playing field in a sector that has seen rapid transformation and intense rivalry in recent years.
The operation was not a unilateral move by the regulator; it required specific legal clearance. Before the investigators could enter the premises, the Authority obtained formal authorization from a judge of freedoms and detention. This judicial oversight ensures that such invasive measures are grounded in sufficient suspicion of market misconduct, such as price-fixing, market sharing, or the abuse of a dominant position, while protecting the legal rights of the entities involved.
While the raid represents a serious escalation in the Authority’s oversight, officials have been careful to emphasize the preliminary nature of the action. The General Rapporteur noted that the intervention does not, at this stage, prejudge the guilt of the company in question. Under French law, the presumption of innocence remains in place until a comprehensive investigation—which involves a detailed analysis of the seized documents and digital data—proves that a breach of competition law actually occurred.
In keeping with its standard investigative protocols, the Competition Authority has declined to provide further specifics. The identity of the firm targeted and the exact nature of the suspected practices remain confidential to protect the integrity of the ongoing proceedings. For the private passenger transport sector, which includes everything from traditional taxi services to ride-sharing platforms, this move serves as a stark reminder that the regulator is actively monitoring commercial conduct to prevent distortions that could harm consumers or smaller competitors.