Google has accused Microsoft of using its dominant position to trap customers into contracts within its Azure cloud server business.
In a complaint filed with the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Google claimed that Vole employs software licencing restrictions as a means to prevent customers from easily transitioning away from its cloud computing services, presumably into something more Googly
In its complaint to the competition watchdog, Google moaned that Microsoft’s dominant Windows Server and Microsoft Office products create lock-in for the firm’s extensive client base, making it challenging for them to use alternatives to Microsoft’s Azure cloud infrastructure.
Google characterised Microsoft’s licencing restrictions as a “complex web” that hinders businesses from diversifying their enterprise software vendors.
The search giant claimed this control was a risk to national security and cybersecurity as cyberattacks often targeted Microsoft products.
Earlier this year, the search giant called upon European regulators to scrutinise Microsoft’s cloud licencing practices with some extra scroot.
Last year, Vole modifed its licencing practices in the EU, aiming to enhance affordability for Azure customers seeking to use additional cloud providers. However, those changes did not extend to customers in the US.
