Google has filed a complaint with the European Commission against Microsoft, accusing it of anti-competitive practices designed to lock customers into its Azure cloud platform, Reuters reports.
Google claims Microsoft exploits its dominant Windows Server operating system to stifle competition, charging a 400% markup for running Windows Server on rival cloud platforms and providing delayed security updates to those users. Google also argued that Microsoft is also locking users into its Teams collaboration application and emphasizes the need for regulatory action to eliminate what it describes as “vendor lock.”
A study by CISPE found that European businesses are paying up to €1 billion ($1.12 billion) annually due to Microsoft’s licensing penalties. Microsoft recently settled a related antitrust complaint for €20 million related to its cloud licensing practices, but the settlement did not address concerns from Google or Amazon Web Services (AWS).
Microsoft defended its practices, asserted that it had resolved similar concerns with European cloud providers and suggested that Google was attempting to prolong litigation. Google is urging the European Commission to take action to end Microsoft’s “vendor lock” and promote competition in the rapidly growing cloud market, where Microsoft’s products hold over 70% market share in Europe.
