EU tech rules should curb cloud computing providers, study says
BRUSSELS, Oct 26 (Reuters) – Draft EU guidelines to curb the ability of Amazon , Apple , Alphabet unit Google and Fb also needs to sort out cloud computing providers suppliers over potential anti-competitive practices, a examine stated on Tuesday.
The report coincides with considerations that some EU lawmakers who’re reviewing the (DMA) proposed by EU antitrust chief Margrethe Vestager could also be lenient in the direction of cloud computing corporations.
Amazon’s Amazon Internet Providers was the main supplier within the second quarter of this yr, adopted by Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud, market analysis firm Statista discovered. Others embody IBM Cloud, Alibaba Cloud, Salesforce and Oracle .
The examine was ready by Frederic Jenny, chairman of the Organisation for Financial Cooperation and Improvement’s Competitors Committee, in his private capability for commerce physique CISPE (Cloud Infrastructure Providers Suppliers in Europe).
“The DMA does say that cloud infrastructure can come throughout the ambit of the DMA however it isn’t apparent that each one the suppliers are lined, for instance it does not appear that Google Cloud qualifies below the DMA as a gatekeeper or IBM Cloud or Salesforce,” Jenny informed Reuters in an interview.
He stated potential anti-competitive practices by some corporations may embody unfair pricing strategies or making it technically troublesome for customers to maneuver to a rival.
Jenny stated the examine interviewed some 25 corporations that use cloud computing providers, a lot of which cited points akin to unfair licence phrases that drive clients to pay once more to make use of software program they already personal once they transfer to a competitor.
Respondents had been additionally involved about suppliers bundling software program merchandise with their cloud infrastructure to make rival merchandise both much less enticing or costlier.
Google, Oracle and SAP declined to remark. Microsoft and Amazon didn’t instantly reply to requests for remark.
EU lawmakers should thrash out the draft DMA with EU international locations earlier than it turns into legislation, probably in 2023.
Reporting by Foo Yun Chee; enhancing by Barbara Lewis
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