UK Watchdog Proposes Microsoft Strategic Status

The U.K.’s Competition and Markets Authority has proposed designating Microsoft’s business software operation as having strategic market status, a move that could let the regulator impose stricter rules. The CMA says barriers to switching providers and Microsoft’s bundling and integration of products may limit customer choice and competition. Its review includes Microsoft 365 tools such as Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams and Copilot, as well as cloud licensing and security software; the products have about 20 million monthly users in the U.K. Microsoft disputes the CMA’s preliminary view, saying its products are open and interoperable. The regulator is seeking feedback through November 13 and expects to make a final designation decision by February 13, 2027.