2 weeks Ago By [email protected] (George Fitzmaurice)
Google has asked the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to break up over competition concerns. The firm is asking the regulator to examine an exclusive agreement that ensures OpenAI’s technology is hosted on Microsoft’s cloud platform, suggest. A conversation over the potential move occurred after the FTC asked Google about business practices at Microsoft as part of a wider investigation, the report said.
The source cited was a person directly involved in the conversation. The report said companies such as Google want to host OpenAI’s models on their cloud servers so that customers don’t need to rely on Microsoft for access. Customers using OpenAI’s technology via Microsoft may face additional charges if they are not already Microsoft customers and using the firm’s servers, the conversation also revealed.
Google, along with other competitors, has highlighted that these additional charges will be damaging to customers. Google’s puts the pressure on Microsoft The move by Google marks the latest in a series of attempts by Google to disrupt Microsoft's alleged anti-competitive practices in the broader industry and the space. Google has been a vocal critic of Microsoft's practices in recent years, having taken a series of jabs at its long-time rival.
Most significant has been Google's aggressive stance on Microsoft’s cloud and software licensing regimes. In February 2024, , suggesting it was pursuing a monopoly in the industry that could harm long-term competition. Microsoft has been subject to intense regulatory scrutiny in the EU, and was locked in an intense battle with CISPE over its cloud computing practices, which the organization described as anti-competitive.
In July this year, in a bid to scupper a deal between the trade body and Microsoft to end a long-running lawsuit. The attempt failed, however, and . The issue was not put to bed here though, with Zavery labeling the settlement a “payoff.
” with the EU on this matter, doubling down on the accusation of Microsoft's anti-competitive cloud practices in the market. Criticism of Microsoft hasn't been entirely restricted to its activities in the cloud industry, however. In May, after a series of email security blunders saw Chinese-backed threat actors gain access to communications between US government officials.
The scathing critique suggested Microsoft can't be trusted on cybersecurity matters, and urged organizations to consider alternative productivity platforms, such as its own Workspace service..
