Google Files EU Complaint Against Microsoft for Anti-Competitive Cloud Practices

Google has formally accused Microsoft of employing anti-competitive practices within its cloud business, hindering fair competition among cloud service providers in the European Union. Today, Google revealed it has filed a complaint with the EU’s regulatory authority, seeking an investigation into Microsoft’s operations.

According to Reuters, Microsoft has been allegedly using its Windows Server platform to unduly pressure companies into choosing its Azure cloud services instead of competitors like Google Cloud and Amazon Web Services (AWS).

The report included the following statement:

Google Cloud’s Vice President, Amit Zavery, stated during a briefing that Microsoft enforced a staggering 400% markup on customers who wished to continue using Windows Server on competing cloud providers. This surcharge was not applicable to those who opted for Azure. Zavery also mentioned that users on rival platforms experienced delayed and restricted security updates compared to those using Azure.

Furthermore, Zavery alleged that Microsoft’s cloud contracts effectively bind customers to its Teams collaboration services, restricting their ability to choose alternative collaboration tools from other vendors. He emphasized that Google urges the European Commission to “thoroughly investigate this matter, enabling customers to make informed decisions and preserve their options.”

In July, Microsoft reportedly reached a settlement with the Association of Cloud Infrastructure Service Providers of Europe (CISPE) to resolve antitrust concerns, which included a payment of 20 million euros (approximately $21.7 million). This agreement permitted CISPE members to operate a version of Microsoft’s Azure Stack HCI software, although it notably excluded AWS and Google Cloud from the settlement.

Upon being contacted regarding Google’s complaint to the European Commission, a Microsoft spokesperson issued a reply asserting, “Having failed to persuade European companies, we anticipate that Google will similarly fail to convince the European Commission.”

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