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UK regulator proposes strategic market status for Microsoft’s business software
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Consultation opens on designation and possible competition measures
Britain’s Competition and Markets Authority proposed designating Microsoft’s business software ecosystem with strategic market status on October 16. Its provisional assessment identifies barriers to switching providers. Areas for possible intervention include competition with Copilot, security-software bundling and cloud licensing. Microsoft disputed the assessment, telling Reuters its products work alongside competing services. The distinction for customers is procedural: designation could enable targeted competition measures, subject to legal tests; this proposal introduces no such requirements and does not establish wrongdoing. Consultation closes November 13, with a final designation decision due by February 13, 2027.
Proposed decision: SMS investigation into Microsoft’s business software ecosystem · CMA takes first steps to ensure choice in business software · Reuters: UK competition regulator targets Microsoft’s business software grip