France Investigates Microsoft Over Bing Search Technology and Antitrust Concerns

France’s antitrust watchdog, the Autorité de la Concurrence, has launched an investigation into Microsoft, focusing on potential anti-competitive practices related to its Bing search technology. The inquiry seeks to determine if Microsoft is deliberately degrading search results for smaller companies that rely on Bing’s infrastructure. The investigation is particularly concerned with Microsoft’s influence over search syndication, a model where smaller providers license Bing’s technology to power their own search results.

While Microsoft does not hold a dominant position in the global search engine market, it is a key player in search syndication. Smaller search engines rely on Microsoft’s technology, which could give the tech giant an unfair advantage in controlling search results and advertisements. The investigation will explore whether this control is being used to disadvantage competitors in the search engine space.

A Microsoft spokesperson confirmed the company’s cooperation with the investigation, emphasizing that the company is fully engaged with the process. The French antitrust authority has not made any public comments, but under French law, the probe could lead to significant penalties or changes in Microsoft’s business practices if the company is found guilty of anti-competitive behavior.

This investigation comes amid increasing scrutiny of Microsoft, following a similar probe by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission, which is focusing on Microsoft’s business practices across cloud services, software licensing, and AI technologies. If proven guilty of anti-competitive actions, Microsoft could face severe fines and regulatory action to ensure fair competition in the market.

Source: nairametrics