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EU ANTITRUST LAW: Google filed antitrust complaint Microsoft for using unfair licensing contracts in its Azure cloud computing business to stifle competition: Google said in an antitrust complaint filed Wednesday that Microsoft uses unfair licensing contracts in its Azure cloud computing business to stifle competition. In its complaint, Google — which ranks third globally in the cloud computing market behind market leaders Amazon Web Services and Azure — said Microsoft makes it harder for customers to move their workloads to competitors’ clouds. It comes after a slew of cloud companies in July agreed a settlement with Microsoft which would see the firm make changes to address competition concerns. #competitionlaw #antitrustlaw https://lnkd.in/gu97vuHv

Google files an antitrust complaint against Microsoft, accusing the company of making it harder to move workloads to competitors’ clouds. https://lnkd.in/g4jZ9GkC #Google #Microsoft #Antitrust #Cloud #AWS #Azure #Data #AI #Databases

Google has officially complained to the European Commission about Microsoft’s cloud practices, saying they may be unfair. Google claims that Microsoft is using its strong position in the software market to limit competition in the cloud services area. They argue that these practices could stifle innovation and reduce options for businesses looking for cloud solutions. The complaint points out issues with Microsoft’s licensing agreements, which Google believes make it hard for other companies to compete. This could push businesses to stick with Microsoft and not explore other cloud services, ultimately harming competition. Google is pushing for fair competition, as they think more choices will lead to better services and lower prices for everyone. This complaint reflects a growing trend of tech companies examining each other's business practices in the cloud market. As this industry expands, regulators are becoming more vigilant to ensure fair competition. The outcome of Google’s complaint could greatly influence how cloud services are offered and regulated in Europe and beyond. #CloudComputing #Antitrust #TechRegulation #Innovation #ChangeYourPassword Follow me for regular updates! Read more: https://lnkd.in/gyAZ5sp3

Google Ends Cloud Switching Fees, Pressuring Amazon and Microsoft: An anonymous reader shares a report: The cost of switching between cloud-computing providers has long drawn complaints, with the services derided as "roach motels" that let businesses check in but not out. Now Google is taking steps to change that. Effective immediately, the company is eliminating fees levied on customers who want to leave its cloud for a rival service -- a policy shift that may pressure competitors Amazon and Microsoft to do the same. The move follows intensifying scrutiny of cloud services by regulators and lawmakers around the world. UK antitrust authorities launched a probe that is looking at such penalties, and the fees emerged as a key issue when the US Federal Trade Commission asked for public comments on a variety of cloud concerns. Google Vice President Amit Zavery, who helps oversee the cloud business, said switching fees only represent about 2% of the total costs of migrating to a new provider -- and don't deter many clients from moving their data. Read more of this story at Slashdot.

Alphabet's Google has formally accused Microsoft of anti-competitive practices that limit customer choices and enforce dependency on its Azure cloud platform. Google asserts that Microsoft's stronghold in the cloud computing market, primarily via Windows Server, hinders competition against rivals like Google Cloud and Amazon Web Services (AWS). Google Cloud VP Amit Zavery highlighted that Microsoft imposes a staggering 400 percent price hike for businesses running Windows Server on non-Azure platforms, a burden absent for Azure users. He also pointed out that clients using competing cloud services face delayed and limited security updates. Notably, a study by cloud services group CISPE indicated that European entities could be paying up to 1 billion euros annually in Microsoft licensing penalties. In July, Microsoft reached a 20 million euro settlement with CISPE regarding a related antitrust issue, preempting an EU investigation, yet this settlement did not extend to complaints from AWS, Google Cloud, and AliCloud, prompting criticism. A Microsoft representative countered, asserting that the company has addressed concerns from other European cloud providers and suggested that Google's appeal to the European Commission is unlikely to succeed. Further accusations from Google include claims that Microsoft is pressuring customers to utilize its Teams collaboration tool instead of alternatives, mirroring its practices with Azure. Zavery emphasized the need for regulatory action, warning that without it, the cloud market risks becoming more restrictive. Google is urging an investigation to preserve customer choices, stressing that Microsoft controls over 70 percent of the market with its products in Europe, where the cloud computing sector is experiencing substantial growth despite many companies having only partially transitioned to the cloud. #CloudComputing #SouthKorea https://lnkd.in/gzCGzkhM

~~~Amazon's AWS removes data transfer fees for clients switching to rivals~~~ - Amazon's AWS announces removal of data transfer fees for customers switching to other cloud service providers globally. - This move comes amidst regulatory scrutiny over such fees, with concerns about their impact on competition. - The European Union's Data Act will require cloud providers to facilitate easier switching between competitors. - British media regulator Ofcom has requested an investigation into the dominance of Amazon, Google, and Microsoft in the UK's cloud market. - Earlier, Google Cloud eliminated its transfer fees and pledged to simplify provider switching, though it flagged concerns about unfair licensing practices. - The decision by AWS aligns with efforts to address competition concerns and promote customer flexibility. - Regulatory actions and market dynamics are shaping the cloud computing landscape, prompting adjustments from major players like AWS and Google. #cloudservices #awscloud #azurecloud #googlecloud https://lnkd.in/gWdvwGmx

Pressure is growing for hyperscaler providers to end anti-competition practices. Last week, the VP of Google Cloud added to criticism of Microsoft's attempts to create a monopoly, and as he put it, a "whole walled garden" where customers are entirely reliant on Microsoft tech. The CMA's promise of action gave me hope that we'd see more than just angry reactions in 2024. But so far, this hasn't been the case. I want to see definitive action from the hyperscalers that encourages a fair, equitable and open cloud. Step 1 is removing egress fees and using restrictive and anticompetitive licenses that prevent customers from moving freely between providers. Civo is leading the charge and demonstrating how providers can put customers and innovation first and not hinder them through escalating costs and vendor lock-in. Ross Kelly explored the full story in ITPro, read his analysis here: https://lnkd.in/eibQK6Gw

Brussels: Google has lodged a complaint with the European Commission, alleging that Microsoft is engaging in anti-competitive practices to reinforce customer loyalty to its Azure cloud platform. The complaint claims Microsoft is using its dominant Windows Server operating system to suppress competition against Google and Amazon Web Services. According to Google Cloud Vice President Amit Zavery, businesses face a 400 percent price increase when running Windows Server on competing clouds, while Azure users benefit from exemptions. Additionally, security updates for rival platforms are delayed and limited. A recent study by CISPE reported that European organizations could be facing licensing penalties of up to 1 billion euros annually due to Microsoft’s practices. In July, Microsoft reached a 20-million-euro settlement over antitrust issues related to its cloud licensing, avoiding a more extensive EU investigation. However, this settlement did not apply to Amazon Web Services, Google Cloud, or AliCloud, prompting criticism from those companies. Google further accused Microsoft of restricting the use of alternative applications to Teams, suggesting similar strategies may be at play with Azure. Zavery called for immediate regulatory action, warning that without it, the cloud market risks becoming more restrictive. Google urged the European Commission to tackle Microsoft's "vendor lock" practices to ensure competitive options for customers. Currently, Microsoft holds over 70 percent market share for Windows Server in Europe, while the cloud sector is expected to grow annually by 20 percent in the EU, indicating significant growth potential. #CloudComputing #India https://lnkd.in/g6grU-wX

Google Ends Cloud Switching Fees, Pressuring Amazon and Microsoft: An anonymous reader shares a report: The cost of switching between cloud-computing providers has long drawn complaints, with the services derided as "roach motels" that let businesses check in but not out. Now Google is taking steps to change that. Effective immediately, the company is eliminating fees levied on customers who want to leave its cloud for a rival service -- a policy shift that may pressure competitors Amazon and Microsoft to do the same. The move follows intensifying scrutiny of cloud services by regulators and lawmakers around the world. UK antitrust authorities launched a probe that is looking at such penalties, and the fees emerged as a key issue when the US Federal Trade Commission asked for public comments on a variety of cloud concerns. Google Vice President Amit Zavery, who helps oversee the cloud business, said switching fees only represent about 2% of the total costs of migrating to a new provider -- and don't deter many clients from moving their data. Read more of this story at Slashdot.

Google kills data transfer fee for migrating #cloud workloads and #data Costs for switching workloads and data between cloud computing providers have long drawn complaints, with services that let businesses easily check in but not out. Now Google is taking steps to change that. Effective immediately, the company is eliminating fees levied on customers who want to leave its cloud for rival services, a policy shift that most certainly will pressure competitors Amazon and Microsoft to do the same. The move follows intensifying scrutiny of cloud services by #regulators and lawmakers around the world. UK antitrust authorities launched a probe that is looking at such penalties, and the fees emerged as a key issue when the US Federal Trade Commission asked for public comments on a variety of cloud concerns.  However, Google Vice President Cloud Amit Zavery said switching fees only represent about 2% of the total #costs of migrating to a new provider, and don't deter many clients from moving their data. #cloudmigration