It said Microsoft pre-installs the workplace chat, it was difficult to un-install and that the U.S. company refused to provide information which would allow rival products to work with Teams and Office. This has prompted the Commission to ask if bundled products give companies access to data that may increase their market power in both markets and at the same time make it harder for rivals, in particular those with only product, to compete. It has also asked about barriers to entry or expansion in the workplace apps market, switching costs for customers and the importance of user data protection.
Rivals were asked for a list of customers who have switched to Microsoft Teams or its bundled Office, the percentage of revenue they had lost as a result, as well as the impact of the integrated products on their investments in innovation and the quality and price of their products. The questionnaire asked if the COVID-19 had boosted demand for workplace apps and how this will evolve post-pandemic.
As reported by Spiegel (and coming in the print version), and Politico, Nextcloud has filed a complaint with the EU as well as the German anti-trust authorities over the behavior of Microsoft. Other companies which provide workplace apps include Zoom Video Communications (ZM.O), Alphabet's Google, Facebook (FB.O) and Cisco (CSCO.O). We are supported in this by a coalition of European businesses and trade organizations.
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