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German competition watchdog vows closer eye on Microsoft

Economic Times

Economic Times · 9m ago

German competition watchdog vows closer eye on Microsoft

- Germany's competition watchdog has classified Microsoft as a company with paramount cross-market significance for competition. - Microsoft's products are widely used and essential in companies, public authorities, and private households. - The Bundeskartellamt's classification means that Microsoft will face stronger supervision and potential bans on anti-competitive practices. - The new powers also apply to Apple, Google, and Meta, putting them under the same scrutiny. - Microsoft recognizes its responsibility to support a healthy competitive environment and pledges to work proactively and collaboratively with the Bundeskartellamt. - In June, the European Commission charged Microsoft with antitrust violations related to its integration of Teams with its Office product.

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Microsoft hit with Spanish startups' complaint about cloud practices

Economic Times

Economic Times · 1y ago

Microsoft hit with Spanish startups' complaint about cloud practices

Microsoft is facing a complaint from the Spanish Startup Association regarding alleged anti-competitive practices in its cloud computing services. The association, representing more than 700 startups in Spain, claims that Microsoft has leveraged its dominant position in the Operating Systems and productivity software markets to compel the use of its Azure cloud. The association further accuses Microsoft of imposing barriers to data portability and restricting competition through contractual conditions. They have called on the Spanish competition watchdog to investigate and ensure a fair and competitive market. This follows a similar complaint filed by the Cloud Infrastructure Services Providers in Europe (CISPE) to EU antitrust regulators last November.

UK's competition watchdog rejects probe into Microsoft-Mistral AI tie-up

Economic Times

Economic Times · 1y ago

UK's competition watchdog rejects probe into Microsoft-Mistral AI tie-up

The UK's competition watchdog, the CMA, has announced that it will not investigate the partnership between Microsoft and Mistral AI. Microsoft invested $16 million in the French start-up in February, allowing its AI models to be accessed through Azure. The CMA stated that the partnership does not qualify for investigation under merger regulations, as Microsoft has not acquired significant influence over Mistral AI. This decision follows the CMA's invitation for comments in April regarding this and other tech partnerships. EU antitrust chief Margrethe Vestager also recently met with Mistral AI to discuss competition in the AI industry.

UK's antitrust enforcer sounds the alarm over Big Tech's grip on GenAI

TechCrunch · 1y ago

UK's antitrust enforcer sounds the alarm over Big Tech's grip on GenAI

The U.K's competition watchdog, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), has expressed concerns about the increasing control of Big Tech companies in the advanced AI market. The CMA warns that the concentration of power in firms such as Google, Amazon, Microsoft, Meta, and Apple (GAMMA) could harm fair competition, reduce choice and quality, and lead to higher prices for businesses and consumers. The CMA is closely monitoring partnerships and the potential for anti-competitive behavior, using merger review powers to investigate further. It is urging AI giants to follow its principles for responsible development.

Microsoft's Bing, LinkedIn vows more ads transparency

Economic Times

Economic Times · 1y ago

Microsoft's Bing, LinkedIn vows more ads transparency

Microsoft has pledged to provide more information about targeted advertisements and safeguard users against new risks from artificial intelligence (AI) as the European Union's Digital Services Act (DSA) rules come into force. The DSA requires internet giants to protect users from harmful content and enhance transparency about their algorithms. Microsoft-owned LinkedIn has already implemented a non-personalized feed option, complying with the DSA. The company will also create an "Ad Library" and explain how its Bing search functions. The EU aims to approve the world's first law regulating AI by the end of the year.

French startup Mistral AI vows to maintain open source

Economic Times

Economic Times · 1y ago

French startup Mistral AI vows to maintain open source

French AI startup Mistral AI has pledged to maintain open-source coding principles as it enters into a partnership with Microsoft to sell its software. The move comes amidst Elon Musk's lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging the company violated its non-profit mission. Mistral AI's head of public affairs emphasized the importance of open-source in building a European AI ecosystem. Although Mistral AI is selling its software through Microsoft, the company remains committed to open source and aims to use commercial activity to fund further research and development.

Germany closes Meta case after data measures agreed

Economic Times

Economic Times · 8m ago

Germany closes Meta case after data measures agreed

- Germany's antitrust watchdog, the Federal Cartel Office, has announced that Meta (formerly Facebook) has implemented measures to give users more control over their data, resolving a long-standing dispute. - Meta's new measures include the introduction of an accounts center, allowing users to keep data from different social networks separate, as well as cookie settings to separate Facebook data from other data. - Users will receive prominent notifications with direct links to consent options when accessing Facebook, and Meta will only store data temporarily for security purposes. - These measures were deemed effective by the cartel office, resulting in the closure of the case. Meta has also withdrawn a pending appeal against the decision. - The cartel office's 2019 order has prompted significant changes to the way Meta handles user data, with the main change being that consent is no longer required for Meta to collect and link data to user accounts, even if the data is unrelated to Facebook usage. - The Federal Cartel Office has increased scrutiny on major tech companies, including Meta, Microsoft, Amazon, Apple, and Google, thanks to the new German Competition Act, granting them greater powers to address anti-competitive behavior.

Microsoft should change its Copilot advertising, says watchdog

The Verge

The Verge · 13d ago

Microsoft should change its Copilot advertising, says watchdog

An advertising watchdog has recommended that Microsoft modify its Copilot advertising claims, citing misleading productivity and branding information. The Better Business Bureau's National Advertising Division (NAD) suggests Microsoft clarify the productivity benefits and limitations of its Microsoft 365 Copilot and Business Chat features. The NAD found discrepancies in Microsoft's productivity claims and urges clearer branding to avoid customer confusion. Microsoft plans to comply with NAD's recommendations for clearer communication in future advertisements.

Sony vows growing India media presence in letter to employees

Livemint

Livemint · 1y ago

Sony vows growing India media presence in letter to employees

The head of Sony Group's India unit, N.P. Singh, has sent a letter to employees, assuring them of the company's strength and growth despite the failed merger with Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd. Singh stated that Sony will focus on content to boost subscriber growth and revenue in India. Sony is also exploring options to strengthen its market presence through collaborations. This comes as Sony faces competition from rivals like Disney and Reliance Industries in the Indian media market.

UK secures commitments from Amazon and Meta over retail platforms

Economic Times

Economic Times · 1y ago

UK secures commitments from Amazon and Meta over retail platforms

Tech companies Meta and Amazon have made commitments to protect fair competition on their retail platforms, as confirmed by Britain's competition watchdog. Amazon has pledged not to use competitor sellers' marketplace data to gain an unfair advantage, ensuring a level-playing field. Similarly, Meta has committed to not exploiting its advertising customers' data, giving competitors the ability to opt out of using their data to enhance Facebook Marketplace. The Competition & Markets Authority's investigation into Amazon Marketplace and Meta's use of advertising data has concluded with these commitments.

Adobe’s $20 billion Figma deal risks veto from UK watchdog

Livemint

Livemint · 1y ago

Adobe’s $20 billion Figma deal risks veto from UK watchdog

The UK competition watchdog, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), has warned that Adobe's planned $20 billion acquisition of Figma Inc., a design software maker, may face blockage unless remedies are provided to address competition concerns. The CMA believes the deal could lead to reduced competition in product design software and hinder the development of new products. This follows objections raised by the European Union regulator earlier this month. Adobe's purchase, aiming to tap into the growing market of small businesses and everyday users on the web, is seen as the largest-ever takeover of a private software company.

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