antitrust
-
Blog
Microsoft facing FTC antitrust probe over cloud, AI competition concerns
The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is investigating Microsoft over antitrust issues, according to sources cited in multiple reports. While the reports suggest the FTC is examining multiple facets of Microsoft’s business, including AI, Office, and security, the focus appears to be cloud computing and how its Azure services are bundled with its other products and services. According to the…
Read More » -
Blog
FTC opens antitrust investigation into Microsoft’s cloud, AI, and cybersecurity practices – Computerworld
Focus on market dominance and security practices The investigation centers on Microsoft’s bundling of office productivity and security software with its cloud services, a practice critics argue disadvantages competitors in the authentication and cybersecurity markets. The FTC is particularly examining Microsoft Entra ID, its user authentication service, amid complaints that licensing terms and integration with its cloud offerings impede rival…
Read More » -
Blog
Judge won’t alter Google antitrust trial dates to accommodate Trump DOJ’s proposal – Computerworld
Google’s pushback and trial stakes Google has sharply criticized the DOJ’s proposals, calling them “staggering” and warning that they could harm American technological leadership. The company argued that measures like forced divestitures and data-sharing mandates could weaken its competitive edge and disrupt the broader digital ecosystem. “We’ve invested billions of dollars in Chrome and Android. Breaking them would change their…
Read More » -
Blog
For Microsoft, will Trump’s antitrust and environmental views help or harm? – Computerworld
Trump’s vendettas and grievances The president-elect is driven by vendettas and grievances more than he is by policy. And when it comes to tech, he has plenty of them. In the 2020 election, Meta founder Mark Zuckerberg and his wife started a foundation “to ensure that everyone can vote and every vote can be counted.” Since then, Trump threatened to investigate…
Read More » -
Blog
FTC eyes Microsoft’s cloud practices amid anti-trust scrutiny – Computerworld
If pursued, this inquiry could lead to intensified regulations on Microsoft’s cloud strategy, underscoring the FTC’s commitment to protecting competitive markets in sectors increasingly dominated by a few key players. Neither the FTC nor Microsoft has publicly commented on the matter. “Moving forward, all hyperscalers should commit to the interoperability of their cloud solutions in both intent and practice,” Jain…
Read More » -
Blog
Google US antitrust trials: A timeline – Computerworld
October 31, 2023: Google CEO Sundai Pichai takes the stand, for long-awaited testimony about the relationship between his company and Apple. He gave some details about Google’s negotiations with Apple over a contract that made Google the default search engine on Apple’s iPhones, iPads, and Macs. Google has paid billions for the privilege of being the default search on Apple…
Read More » -
Blog
Google antitrust trial, two weeks in: What’s transpired so far
The US Department of Justice (DoJ) is set to wrap its case in the Google antitrust trial, after an eventful two weeks in the courtroom. The tech giant is accused of engaging in monopolistic behavior by strategically acquiring certain companies and controlling the adtech industry’s most widely-used tools and exchanges. The lawsuit was filed in 2023 by the DoJ and…
Read More » -
Blog
Who is Teresa Ribera, the incoming EU antitrust chief?
Spanish socialist Teresa Ribera is set to replace Margrethe Vestager as the EU’s antitrust chief, bringing a new approach to competition in the region. If confirmed by the European Parliament, she will serve under the recently reelected European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen who picked her as part of a new team. Ribera has a long political history in…
Read More » -
Blog
Google wins landmark EU antitrust battle, easing legal pressures – Computerworld
Qualcomm ruling in contrast In Qualcomm’s case, the company secured a slight reduction of its EU antitrust fine, lowering the penalty to $266 million (€238.7 million) from the original $270 million (€242 million), but the court dismissed its other claims. The fine, handed down by the European Commission in 2019, was based on claims that Qualcomm engaged in predatory pricing…
Read More » -
Blog
Google Overturns €1.5 Billion E.U. Antitrust Fine
Google has successfully overturned a €1.5 billion antitrust fine it was handed by the European Commission five years ago. Judges at the European General Court annulled the decision because the Commission had made errors in its assessment of the company’s advertising contracts. Specifically, the Commission had not demonstrated that Google’s contracts with publishers had potentially deterred innovation, helped the company…
Read More »