The European Commission is actively investigating whether Microsoft is impeding customers from depending on certain security software from its competitors. This information comes from a document seen by Reuters.
European regulators have scrutinized Microsoft’s bundling services and cloud-computing practices. Companies, which have long complained, find these practices under investigation. Microsoft claims it has worked to address rivals’ concerns.
The EU’s competition watchdog, the European Commission, is actively investigating Microsoft’s Entra ID software, formerly known as Azure Active Directory. This inquiry marks a scrutiny into potential competition issues within the realm of digital identity solutions.
The software allows businesses to control who can access their cloud-based applications. Reuters obtained a document stating that regulators are actively seeking to determine whether Microsoft customers can authenticate into Microsoft services using only rival software. Alternatively, they are investigating if customers must also use Entra ID for authentication.
The Information first reported on Tuesday about the commission’s investigation, citing a document sent to a Microsoft rival.
This week, Alphabet’s Google escalated its criticism of Microsoft’s cloud-computing practices. It asserted that its rival is actively attempting to establish a monopoly, which, according to Google, will stifle the growth of emerging technologies, such as generative artificial intelligence. Google emphasized the potential negative impact on the development and innovation within the tech industry. Microsoft has rejected the claim.
The European Commission and Microsoft did not immediately respond to Reuters’ requests for comment.
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