TECH - Microsoft Faces Scrutiny Over Cloud Practices As Spanish Startup Association Files Complaint: 'All Companies Should Be Able To Compete...' | Benzinga
In the latest development, Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) is under scrutiny from a Spanish startup group, which has filed a complaint against the tech giant’s cloud practices. This marks another challenge for Microsoft’s rapidly expanding cloud computing services.
What Happened: The Spanish Startup Association, representing over 700 startups in Spain, has complained to the Spanish antitrust regulator against Microsoft, Reuters reported on Tuesday. The association alleges that Microsoft is using its dominant position in operating systems and traditional productivity software markets to force the adoption of its Azure cloud. The group also claims that Microsoft has set up artificial barriers that restrict startups’ ability to compete on a level playing field.
The complaint outlines practices such as barriers to data portability and restrictive contractual conditions in software licenses, which limit the choice and flexibility that startups require for resilience, innovation, and growth.
The association has called on the Spanish competition watchdog to launch an investigation and take immediate measures to ensure a competitive market.
“We believe that all companies should be able to compete in an environment of equality so as not to be left ...