Overview
- Google withdrew its antitrust complaint roughly a week after the European Commission opened a cloud-sector investigation, saying the formal process will address the issues it raised.
- The inquiry examines whether sector features reinforce the power of Microsoft Azure and Amazon Web Services, including concerns over interoperability, data access and exit fees that impede switching.
- Possible outcomes include designating Azure and AWS as Digital Markets Act gatekeepers, triggering obligations intended to open markets and expand customer choice on a one‑year timeline.
- Cloud market share estimates show AWS at about 30%, Microsoft near 20% and Google around 13%, underscoring the concentration under review.
- Alphabet shares ticked lower following the move, while Google said it will continue working with policymakers in the EU and UK to promote openness in cloud services.