The European Union is accusing Microsoft of illegally bundling the Teams chat app with Office 365 and Microsoft 365 subscriptions. The software giant is accused of violating antitrust laws in the EU for the first time in 15 years, following two major lawsuits over the bundling of Windows Media Player and Internet Explorer.
The statement made by the European Commission on the subject includes the following statements: “The European Commission has taken its preliminary view that Microsoft violated EU anti-monopoly rules by connecting its communication and collaboration product Teams to popular productivity applications found in Office 365 and Microsoft 365 packages for businesses.” He reported it to.”
The EU conveyed concerns to Microsoft about the presentation of Teams in packages in a statement of objection. The software giant removed Teams from Office 365 and Microsoft 365 in Europe last year to address regulators’ concerns. In addition, Teams was subsequently removed from Office 365 globally. However, these moves were not enough to prevent the accusations.
EU competition commissioner Margrethe Vestager said: “We are concerned that Microsoft is gaining an unnecessary advantage over its competitors by connecting its communications product Teams to popular productivity suites for businesses. If approved, Microsoft’s conduct would be illegal under our competition rules. “Microsoft now has the opportunity to respond to our concerns.”
Microsoft and the European Union are working together for a solution
Microsoft pointed out that it was working with the European Union to find a solution. “Following the unbundling of Teams and the first steps towards interoperability, we appreciate the additional clarity provided today and will work to find solutions that address the Commission’s remaining concerns,” the company’s chairman, Brad Smith, told The Financial Times.
The European Union launched an antitrust investigation into Microsoft’s presentation of Teams after Slack’s complaint in July 2020. Slack’s original complaint alleged that Microsoft “illegally linked” and “forcibly installed” its Teams product with Office. In addition, complaints were that Teams was prevented from being removed and its true cost was hidden.
If Microsoft is found guilty of violating antitrust law, the firm could face fines of up to 10 percent of the company’s annual worldwide turnover. The European Commission may also impose remedies that would force Microsoft to change its software products, as it has in the past.