The European Union (EU) mentioned Friday that it has accepted Microsoft’s proposed adjustments to its Groups platform, sparing the tech big from an antitrust wonderful.
Microsoft will unbundle the messaging and conferencing app from Microsoft 365 and Workplace 365, after the bloc’s government arm issued a preliminary discovering final yr that the corporate had violated antitrust legal guidelines by tying the merchandise collectively.
The agency will supply its suite of enterprise software program merchandise, akin to Phrase, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint, individually from Groups for a decreased value and permit present clients to modify to this selection.
It can additionally make some Microsoft merchandise interoperable with Groups rivals, whereas permitting clients to switch their knowledge out of the app.
“Organisations big and small across Europe and around the world rely heavily on videoconferencing, chat and collaboration tools, especially since the coronavirus pandemic,” Teresa Ribera, the EU’s antitrust chief, mentioned in a press release.
“Today’s decision therefore opens up competition in this crucial market, and ensures that businesses can freely choose the communication and collaboration product that best suits their needs,” she added.
The EU launched an investigation into Groups in July 2023, following complaints about Microsoft’s bundling practices from the communications platform Slack and the German conferencing platform Alfaview.
It decided in June 2024 that Microsoft had restricted competitors and given Groups an “undue competitive advantage” by tying its merchandise collectively.
