Brasília, January 16, 2026 — CADE President Gustavo Augusto said the authority is taking a firm but dialogue-oriented approach to address competitive challenges in digital markets, according to an interview published by Folha de S. Paulo on Friday.
Gustavo said CADE remains open to negotiation and consensual solutions while preserving its ability to use legal tools to curb abuses of economic power and ensure fair market conditions.
He added that the growth of digital platforms requires institutional responses that strengthen competitive neutrality and legal certainty while preserving innovation and market dynamism. In this context, he said legislative proposals currently under discussion in Brazil’s Congress could expand CADE’s remit, including by introducing general rules for economic agents operating in the digital environment.
Gustavo also pointed to CADE’s use of negotiated outcomes, including agreements reached with technology companies, as an effective way to correct conduct and promote competitive conditions. He said CADE reached a record number of settlements in 2025, reinforcing regulatory dialogue as a tool for efficiency and predictability.
He stressed that CADE’s enforcement is based on technical criteria and applies equally regardless of a company’s origin, size or nationality, with the agency focused on preventing abuses of dominance across the economy.
Addressing artificial intelligence and evolving market dynamics, Gustavo said CADE is closely monitoring these developments through evidence-based analysis aligned with international best practices.
