Google has withdrawn its EU antitrust complaint against Microsoft just one week after European regulators launched a separate investigation into potential anti-competitive practices in the cloud computing sector.
The complaint, filed last year, accused Microsoft of using restrictive licensing terms and pricing policies to lock customers into its Azure cloud platform. However, Google said it decided to step back after the European Commission announced it would independently assess possible abuses across the broader cloud market.
The company added that it remains committed to working with policymakers to encourage a more open and competitive cloud services environment across Europe.
The EU’s investigation is expected to conclude within a year, and will focus on whether Microsoft Azure and Amazon Web Services are unfairly reinforcing their market dominance. If either company is designated a “gatekeeper” under the Digital Markets Act (DMA), they could face additional obligations and regulatory constraints aimed at preserving fair competition in the industry.