EU DMA designation may impose interoperability, data portability and self-preferencing limits on AWS and Azure
European Union antitrust regulators saidAmazon. Microsoft’s cloud computing servicesshould be designated as “gatekeepers” under landmark tech rules, a step that would subject them to strict obligations aimed at curbing market power.
The designation under the Digital Markets Act would impose a set of obligations. bans on the world's two largest cloud providers, Amazon Web Services and Microsoft Azure, including limits on self-preferencing and requirements to ensure interoperability and data portability.
So far, EU regulators have targeted core platform services such as search, social media andapp storesto rein in Big Tech. Extending the DMA to cloud infrastructure would mark a significant expansion into a sector seen as critical to AI.
The preliminary findings follow a seven-month-long investigation.
"Cloud services have become a cornerstone of Europe’s economy —. a prerequisite for AI — with over half of EU businesses now relying on them, combined with record investment in public cloud infrastructure," EU tech chief Henna Virkkunen said in a statement.
"Given their central role in Europe's digital future, these services must operate in fair, open. competitive markets that foster trust and secure Europe’s tech sovereignty."
Amazon said the assessment disregards the breadth of cloud services available to European customers. risks deterring European investment and innovation.
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"The EU already has comprehensive cloud regulation through the Data Act,. adding another heavy layer of overlapping regulation under the DMA undermines European competitiveness and access to cutting-edge information technology," an AWS spokesperson said.
Microsoft pointed to its rival Google's growing power.
"We remain concerned that ignoring the growing power of Google Cloud. Gemini will tilt the market in a harmful way," a Microsoft spokesperson said.
The commissionsingled out AWS. Microsoft Azure's significant turnover,bigger operational capacity and investments than rivals, vast and entrenched user bases, lock-in effects and high switching costs.
The EU competition enforcer also cited the two services' AI tools and partnerships as a decisive factor in cloud procurement.
Amazon. Microsoft can now seek to counter the Commission's preliminary findings before the regulator issues a final decision in the coming months.
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