Google Files Antitrust Complaint Against Microsoft Over Cloud Computing Practices

Google has filed an antitrust complaint with the European Union against Microsoft, accusing the tech giant of unfair cloud computing practices. Google's complaint alleges that Microsoft's licensing tactics unfairly lock customers into using its Azure platform, raising costs and increasing security risks. Microsoft has countered, claiming it has settled similar issues with other European cloud providers.

Google has intensified its conflict with Microsoft by lodging an antitrust complaint with the European Union. The complaint accuses Microsoft of employing licensing practices that unfairly lock business customers into using the Azure cloud computing platform, thereby increasing costs and security risks.

In a blog post, Google claimed that Microsoft's tactics stifle competition, making it the sole provider using such methods. This formal complaint was filed with the European Commission, the EU's executive branch and primary antitrust regulator. Microsoft's stance is that similar concerns voiced by other European cloud providers have already been amicably addressed.

Google pointed out that the licensing terms, altered by Microsoft in 2019, impose severe financial penalties on businesses opting to use Windows Server on rival platforms like Google Cloud and Amazon Web Services, despite no technical barriers to switching. Highlighting a recent tech outage in July due to a faulty update, Google stressed the security ramifications of being locked into a single platform.

(With inputs from agencies.)