Google Files Complaint Against Microsoft for Anti-Competitive Cloud Practices

Google has lodged a complaint with the European Commission alleging Microsoft's anti-competitive practices in cloud computing. Google accuses Microsoft of using its Windows Server dominance to lock customers into its Azure platform. The complaint highlights significant mark-ups and restricted access for using rival services, pressing for regulatory intervention.

Google has filed a formal complaint with the European Commission, accusing Microsoft of engaging in anti-competitive practices within the cloud computing sector. The tech giant claims that Microsoft exploits its dominant Windows Server platform to lock customers into using its own cloud service, Azure.

Amit Zavery, vice president of Google Cloud, pointed out that Microsoft imposes a 400% mark-up for customers running Windows Server on competing cloud services, unlike its own Azure platform. Users of these rival platforms also receive delayed and limited security updates. According to a 2023 study by cloud services organization CISPE, European businesses and public sector bodies spend up to 1 billion euros annually on Microsoft licensing penalties.

Despite Microsoft's recent 20-million-euro settlement with CISPE to address similar concerns, the agreement did not include Google Cloud Platform, Amazon Web Services, or AliCloud, leading to criticism from these companies. Microsoft contends that Google will likely fail to persuade the European Commission, as it did with European businesses. Google insists regulatory action is needed to break Microsoft's 'vendor lock' and ensure a level playing field in the cloud market.

(With inputs from agencies.)