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Google Withdraws EU Antitrust Complaint Against Microsoft Amid Cloud Market Probe

Google has reportedly withdrawn its antitrust complaint against Microsoft in the European Union, specifically regarding Microsoft’s cloud computing practices.

This move comes just one week after EU regulators officially launched a formal investigation into the cloud services market. The Alphabet-owned company initially filed a complaint with the European Commission (EC) last year, alleging that Microsoft engaged in anti-competitive practices that effectively locked customers into its Azure cloud platform.

However, according to a Reuters report, Giorgia Abeltino, Head of Government Affairs and Public Policy for Google Cloud Europe, announced that Google is now withdrawing its complaint. This decision follows the EC’s recent announcement that it will examine potentially harmful practices in the cloud sector through a separate, dedicated process.

Last week, the European Commission (EC) launched an investigation into whether structural characteristics of the cloud computing industry are entrenching the market power of major providers such as Microsoft’s Azure and Amazon Web Services (AWS).

“We continue to work with policymakers, customers, and regulators across the EU, the UK, and beyond to champion choice and openness in the cloud market,” Abeltino reportedly stated.

The EC’s year-long probe could lead to Azure, AWS, and other dominant cloud platforms being designated as “gatekeepers” under the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA). Such a designation would impose stringent regulatory obligations aimed at curbing anti-competitive practices and fostering greater market competition.

Microsoft has previously dismissed Google’s allegations. In July 2024, it reached a €20 million settlement with the trade association CISPE to resolve a separate antitrust complaint concerning its cloud licensing practices. Following that agreement, a Microsoft spokesperson told Mobile World Live that the company expected the European Commission to dismiss Google’s complaint.

“Microsoft amicably settled concerns similar to those raised by European cloud providers, even though Google had hoped they would continue litigating,” the company said at the time. “Having failed to convince European businesses, Google will likely fail to persuade the European Commission as well.”