Microsoft makes adjustments to appease EU Competition watchdogs over Teams Software
Competition Authorities in the EU granted Microsoft concessions for its Teams software - Microsoft yields to EU competition regulators in terms of Teams software
Brussels had already started investigations in 2023 after a competitors complaint. The investigation focused on Microsoft's unethical practice of giving its own software, Teams, an upper hand by integrating it into business packages Office 365 and Microsoft 365. The tech giant had already pledged changes, but they weren't sufficient for the commission.
Now, according to reports from Brussels, an Office version without Teams will be available, costing less. Users will also be allowed to switch to this version without any hindrances. Moreover, Microsoft has agreed to provide competitors with required data, allowing them to seamlessly integrate links to Microsoft Word, Excel, or PowerPoint, making their applications compatible with the Office packages.
The EU commission is yet to make a final decision on whether they are satisfied with the concessions from the US company. If Microsoft fails to clear the accusation of a competition violation despite the concessions, the company faces a significant fine of up to ten percent of its annual turnover. The EU has already imposed high fines on the company several times for competition violations.
Teams provides office workers with the ability to hold video conferences and exchange text messages, notes, and other documents. Competitor Slack Technologies operates a similar service, while other alternatives include Zoom or Google Meet.
- Microsoft
- Teams Software
- EU Competition Watchdogs
- Slack Technologies
- Europe
- Interoperability
- Competition Violation
- Following the scrutiny by EU Competition Watchdogs, Microsoft has agreed to make a version of Office without Teams available, aiming to address concerns about integrating its own software into business packages.
- In an attempt to avoid competition violation accusations, Microsoft has also consented to provide competitors like Slack Technologies with necessary data, facilitating seamless integration of their applications with Office packages.
- Despite these concessions, the EU commission is yet to decide whether they are satisfied with Microsoft's efforts to ensure interoperability and prevent any further competition violations.
