Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) is facing significant antitrust charges from the European Commission for allegedly unfairly linking its Teams app with its Office product, following a 2020 complaint by rival Slack. The EU competition watchdog claims this bundling gave Microsoft an unfair market advantage, stifling competition. Microsoft, previously fined €2.2 billion for similar offences, could face fines up to 10% of its global turnover if found guilty.
The Commission demands Microsoft offer Office without Teams at a lower price and improve interoperability for competitors. Microsoft has taken steps to unbundle Teams but acknowledges further actions are needed to address regulatory concerns. Salesforce and other rivals urge swift and effective remedies to restore market competition.
