Brazilian food delivery company iFood, majority-owned by Dutch investment group Prosus, has lodged a civil complaint against Keeta, a rival controlled by China-based Meituan, alleging unfair competition in the Brazilian market.
The lawsuit, filed in a business court in Sao Paulo, asks a judge to order Keeta to alter certain business practices and to award moral damages of 1 million reais, in addition to further monetary compensation to be set by the court, according to court documents.
Central to iFood's claim is an allegation that consulting firms contacted its employees offering "significant compensation" in exchange for confidential commercial information. iFood says it identified a former employee who accepted such an offer and participated in a videoconference while still employed, which prompted a police probe that included the search and seizure of electronic devices.
Following investigative measures, iFood reports it recovered documents indicating that accounts tied to a Meituan domain were participants in those conversations. The company has used that material as part of its case alleging improper competitive conduct.
Keeta has responded by saying it backs an open and fair market and complies with all applicable requirements. The company denied commissioning third parties to approach individuals on its behalf for the purpose described in the lawsuit, and noted it had not received any formal notification of the complaint at the time it issued its statement.
Keeta entered the Brazilian food delivery market about a year ago, seeking to compete in a market dominated by iFood. The challenger announced an initial investment of roughly $1 billion when it launched its Brazilian operations.
Contextual note: The filing frames a legal contest between established and new entrants in Brazil's delivery sector, with allegations centered on targeted approaches to employees and the handling of confidential information. The case seeks both injunctive relief and financial compensation.
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