Microsoft faces cloud antitrust charges after OVHcloud files suit
Complaint was filed with the European Commission last summer
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
The French cloud computing firmOVHcloudhas filed an antitrust complaint againstMicrosoftin the EU alleging that its software doesn’t work as well on other cloud services.
As reported byThe Wall Street Journal, the complaint was filed with the European Commission last summer though it hasn’t been reported on up until now.
OVHcloud argues in its complaint that the way in which Microsoft licenses itsoffice softwareand other products may make it more expensive for businesses to use cloud services besidesMicrosoft Azure. However, the company also alleges that it is harder for other cloud services to compete with Microsoft as its software doesn’t work as well when used on their platforms.
A spokesperson for OVHcloud provided further details on its complaint against Microsoft in a statement toThe Wall Street Journalin which they explained that “Microsoft undermines fair competition and limits consumer choice in the cloud computing services market” by abusing its dominant position.
Cloud antitrust complaint
OVHcloud didn’t act on its own as the company said that it jointly filed its complaint with several companies though it declined to names which ones.
For its part, Microsoft did not confirm or deny whether it was notified of OVHcloud’s complaint but it did say that other European cloud companies are building successful businesses using its products.
European cloud companies want more protection from the EU
Azure may have finally toppled AWS in the global cloud battle
AWS could be facing antitrust scrutiny
Although the cloud market in Europe continues to grow, a great deal of that growth is attributed to US cloud giants Microsoft Azure,AWSandGoogle Cloud. In fact, they now account for more than a third (69%) of the European cloud market according to Synergy Research Group. Meanwhile, Deutsche Telekom is the largest European cloud provider with a two percent share of the region’s market followed by OVHcloud with a one percent share.
Are you a pro? Subscribe to our newsletter
Sign up to the TechRadar Pro newsletter to get all the top news, opinion, features and guidance your business needs to succeed!
We’ll have to wait and see if the European Commission plans to investigate OVHcloud’s complaint further or dismiss it. As the complaint was reportedly filed last summer though, EU regulators could come to a decision soon.
ViaThe Wall Street Journal
After working with the TechRadar Pro team for the last several years, Anthony is now the security and networking editor at Tom’s Guide where he covers everything from data breaches and ransomware gangs to the best way to cover your whole home or business with Wi-Fi. When not writing, you can find him tinkering with PCs and game consoles, managing cables and upgrading his smart home.
Washington state court systems taken offline following cyberattack
Is it still worth using Proton VPN Free?
Top 3 things you have to try with the new ChatGPT search
