Microsoft set to escape French antitrust probe as Qwant complaint falters

Broader implications for enterprises

Analysts say European regulators are becoming more selective about which complaints proceed, with greater emphasis on the merits and the market where the conduct occurs.

“Microsoft can escape this because its share in search is relatively small,” said Pareekh Jain, CEO at Pareekh Consulting. “Google is the dominant player. On the other hand, the case shapes the perception that big tech still squeezes smaller players. Many European tech companies have depended on US platforms. If antitrust enforcement becomes more selective in a broader context, you will see a stronger business case and public support for ‘sovereign’ approaches in Europe, including sovereign AI.”

For Microsoft’s customers and partners, the concern is dependence on a platform that also competes in adjacent services. Microsoft’s dual role, supplying technology while competing with smaller firms, creates a natural tension, according to Tulika Sheel, senior VP at Kadence International.

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AndyC

Andy Curtis is an award-winning security consultant, researcher and public speaker. He has been working in the computer security industry since the early 1990s, having been employed by state and federal government, leading healthcare and banking providers across three continents. He has given talks about computer security for some of the world’s largest companies, worked with law enforcement agencies on investigations into hacking groups, and is a regular voice on TV and radio explaining IT security threats.

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