Microsoft has been feeling the heat in Europe as regulators increasingly scrutinise the tech company’s deals and business practices.
As the software giant ventures into artificial intelligence and other growing areas including cloud computing, gaming and video conferencing, it has had regulatory battles aplenty in Europe after a long truce.
Last year, Microsoft had a battle with regulators over its $69bn acquisition of Activision, which produces popular games such as Call of Duty. The UK’s competition watchdog first blocked the transaction, leading to furious criticism from Microsoft vice-chair and president Brad Smith who said the move had shaken confidence in doing business in the UK. Microsoft eventually won that battle though when the deal was cleared.