The Georgian Competition and Consumer Agency has imposed a fine of GEL 59,871 on LLC "Smartli", which ensures the operation of the Bolt taxi service platform in Georgia, for its failure to comply with the Agency's decision within the prescribed time limit.
Following the inquiry conducted by the GCCA, it was established that LLC "Smartli" had infringed the Law of Georgia on the Protection of Consumer Rights. In particular, consumers were not provided, on the platform, with the full range of information required by law, information relating to the trader's identity and contact details not having been adequately presented.
Furthermore, the Agency found the company's standard terms to be unfair, insofar as they limited the trader's liability towards the consumer while placing that liability on the driver instead. In the Agency's assessment, it is the trader itself which, in the event of an infringement of consumer rights, bears responsibility for discharging the obligations provided for by law.
Under the GCCA's decision, LLC "Smartli" was required to eliminate the infringements identified, bring its activity into compliance with the requirements of the law, and restore consumers' infringed rights, obligations which the company failed to discharge within the prescribed time limit.
Pursuant to the applicable legislation, failure to comply, or improper compliance, with the Agency's decision within the prescribed time limit exposes the trader to a fine not exceeding 2% of its annual turnover for the preceding financial year.
The imposition of the fine does not relieve LLC "Smartli" of its obligation to comply with the Agency's decision and to restore consumers' infringed rights.
