Microsoft has accused Google of launching a smear campaign against them to divert attention from the antitrust scrutiny they are facing in the United States and Europe. According to Rima Alaily, Microsoft’s legal representative, Google has created the Open Cloud Coalition, an organization intended to influence public and regulatory perception of Microsoft in the cloud computing market. Alaily claims that, although Google presents itself as a secondary member of the coalition, they actually fund and control a large part of the organization, using European providers as a public image.
Microsoft also alleges that Google employs additional tactics, such as funding commentators and academics to publish studies criticizing their practices. Additionally, they accuse Google of spreading misleading information about Microsoft’s presence in China, with the intention of raising concerns in Washington about the company.
On the other hand, Google has publicly responded by stating that Microsoft’s cloud licensing practices are anti-competitive and limit consumer choice, which they believe affects innovation and cybersecurity. In September, Google filed a formal complaint with the European Commission, alleging that these policies restrict customers and favor Microsoft in the cloud sector.
This conflict arises in a context of increasing competition in the cloud computing market, dominated by Amazon (AWS), Microsoft (Azure), and Google Cloud. The demand for cloud services has significantly increased with the rise of artificial intelligence, making the market one of the most profitable and contested.
Microsoft has stated that they will continue to monitor Google’s tactics and do not rule out taking additional measures to defend their position. The conflict between these tech giants reflects the tensions of a sector facing not only market competition but also pressure from regulators investigating possible monopoly practices.
Source: Cinco Días