Kazakhstan: APDC Completes Audit of Yandex's Pricing

The Agency for the Protection and Development of Competition (APDC) in Kazakhstan reported the violations found in Yandex Taxi's pricing algorithms. The service has already been ordered to make changes to its operations, Orda.kz reports.

The audit was conducted jointly with the Ministry of Digital Development and relevant experts.

The audit revealed risks in the service's operations that affect price growth, particularly for trips to remote areas and airports. The company immediately corrected some of the violations, and Yandex has committed to addressing the remaining issues.

In particular, the service was required to:

• Change the terms of the Yandex+ loyalty program, taking on the costs of the discounts provided
  
• Notify the Agency of any rate increase three days in advance
  
• Remove the increase in rates in residential areas near airports within a week
  
• Continue not to charge a commission on the portion of the cost of trips above the double base rate
  
• Not increase the commission in the Economy rate more than once every two years
  
• Limit the increase in the cost of travel during peak demand to a threefold level, with the share of such trips not exceeding 5% per quarter
  
• Change the way rates are displayed in sparsely populated areas
  
• Add price details to the application by June 30, 2025
  
• Improve customer support service

Additionally, during periods of high demand, a virtual queue will be introduced in the Economy tariff. Users will be able to see how many people are waiting for a car and choose whether to wait, switch to another rate, or use public transportation. 

Monitoring of Yandex Taxi’s compliance with its obligations is conducted by a monitoring group at the APDC, which comprises representatives from government agencies and industry associations.

At the same time, proposals were submitted to the government to amend the legislation, simplifying tax reporting for drivers under a special regime, which is expected to increase their income.

Original Author: Dinara Bekbolayeva