Microsoft left in little doubt UK watchdog priority is choice in software market
By Simon Zekaria ( October 16, 2026, 16:56 GMT | Comment) -- Microsoft's business software ecosystem — including cloud licensing — is under heightened scrutiny after the UK competition regulator said it is eying the power to intervene to ensure there are no unfair barriers that harm competition, choices, and pricing for businesses. It set out a roadmap for possible future interventions, and put a particular focus on the impact of AI-driven innovation reshaping competition in productivity software.Microsoft is not facing a deeper probe into its cloud infrastructure services by the UK competition regulator, but its overall business software ecosystem — a significant part of the tech giant's business, including cloud licensing — is now under heightened scrutiny. ...
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