Microsoft hits back against UK competition lawsuits, slams AWS and Google
once again

Date:
Wed, 05 Mar 2025 12:08:00 +0000

Description:
Microsoft is arguing its case against the CMAs Provisional Decision Report, slamming AWS and Google too

FULL STORY ======================================================================
- Microsoft has responded to the CMAs Provision Decision Report
- It argues British customers havent submitted that many complaints
- AWS is not playing ball, and Google talks out of both sides of its
corporate mouth

Microsoft, which has seemingly found itself at the center of countless antitrust investigations in recent years, has hit back at comments made in relation to an ongoing UK CMA investigation.

The tech giant has contested the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA)s Provisional Decision Report, arguing it is based on hypothetical concerns rather than actual market conditions.

Microsoft issued a 101-page official response tackling all aspects of the
CMAs probe, even asserting British customers have raised limited complaints
and suggesting that the body has overreacted.

Microsoft challenges CMAs investigation

We are particularly concerned about its singling out of Microsoft and its accusation that Microsoft is unfairly using some of its software products to prevent Amazon Web Services and Google Cloud from competing effectively for
UK customers," the company wrote.

In the letter, the tech giant even slammed its primary hyperscaler rival,
AWS, for not sharing its own software with Microsoft or anyone else the response criticizes AWS for believing it can license Microsofts software for its own benefit and on favourable terms.

Microsoft later went on to condemn Google for talking out of both sides of
its corporate mouth, boasting about both its incredible momentum in the Cloud business and mocking Microsofts growth at the same time.

Turning its attention to artificial intelligence, Microsoft noted cloud computing providers are set to invest $250 billion globally to meet the intensifying demands for AI, arguing that the CMA has disregarded the
relevance of the technology.

The company also noted measures it and its rivals have already taken steps to counter antitrust investigations, including removing egress fees for
customers switching from one cloud computing provider to another 12 months
ago. The firm dismissed egress fees as a major concern, claiming that the
lack of a mass migration post-fee removal proves they did not significantly impact customer decisions in the first place.

Microsoft wrapped up by concluding that it has been a major investor in the
UK economy for four decades, urging the CMA to tread carefully to avoid weaken[ing] one of the UKs most dynamic, high-growth industries.

Looking ahead, all parties have until April 2025 to submit their responses.
The CMA is set to make a final decision by July 2025, ahead of the August deadline.

TechRadar Pro has asked the CMA to share further commentary, but we did not receive an immediate response.

======================================================================
Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/pro/microsoft-hits-back-against-uk-competition-lawsu its-slams-aws-and-google-once-again

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