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Microsoft Hit with UK Competition Regulator Probe over Software Business
The probe could force Microsoft to change licensing terms for software used by hundreds of thousands of UK businesses and public sector organisations.
- On Tuesday, the UK Competition and Markets Authority announced a Strategic Market Status investigation into Microsoft's business software ecosystem, commencing in May to address licensing concerns.
- A July 2025 inquiry found Microsoft and Amazon each held up to 40% of UK cloud spend, with licensing practices identified as harming competition. Both firms recently took steps to reduce egress fees, yet the CMA says further action remains necessary.
- The investigation spans Windows, Word, Excel, Teams, and Copilot, used by hundreds of thousands of UK businesses and public sector organizations. The probe could take up to nine months, potentially enabling the CMA to impose conduct requirements.
- Nicky Stewart, senior advisor to the Open Cloud Coalition, welcomed the probe and urged "swift action" if Microsoft and Amazon fail to meet commitments. Some industry observers raised concerns that excluding Amazon from this investigation could create regulatory imbalance.
- CMA CEO Sarah Cardell stated the designation would "ensure a level playing field as AI is rapidly embedded into everyday business software tools." Parallel investigations in Brazil and Japan signal growing international scrutiny of Microsoft's corporate software practices.
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36 Articles
36 Articles
Competition Authority and United Kingdom Markets start antitrust research to evaluate regulation on products such as Word, Excel and the Copilt artificial intelligence application
·Brazil
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources36
Leaning Left6Leaning Right5Center9Last UpdatedBias Distribution45% Center
Bias Distribution
- 45% of the sources are Center
45% Center
L 30%
C 45%
R 25%
Factuality
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