Qwant v Microsoft: French Watchdog Action Requested
- Qwant, the French search engine, has escalated its concerns over Microsoft's search practices by filing an antitrust complaint with France's competition authority.
- Qwant, a smaller European search engine, historically depended on Microsoft's Bing for its back-end technology.
- The French regulator is currently gathering input from other search engines and is expected to decide by September whether to take interim action against Microsoft and whether to...
Qwant accuses Microsoft of manipulating search results, alleging Bing is being used to degrade the quality of its results. In an escalating move, the French search engine has filed an antitrust complaint, requesting provisional measures as the regulator examines microsofts practices.The decision, expected by September, could lead to interim action. Smaller European search engines frequently enough rely on larger rivals for their search and news results, raising concerns about potential market power abuse and unfair competition. A Microsoft spokesperson has stated that the company is fully cooperating with the inquiry. This situation could reshape the competitive landscape. news Directory 3 offers further insights into this developing story. Discover what’s next in the tech industry’s ongoing antitrust scrutiny.
Qwant Files Antitrust Complaint Against Microsoft Over Search practices
Qwant, the French search engine, has escalated its concerns over Microsoft’s search practices by filing an antitrust complaint with France’s competition authority. the complaint centers on allegations that Microsoft is leveraging its bing platform to diminish the quality of Qwant’s search results.
Qwant, a smaller European search engine, historically depended on Microsoft’s Bing for its back-end technology. Now, Qwant is requesting the regulator to implement provisional measures against Microsoft while the examination proceeds, sources familiar with the matter revealed.
The French regulator is currently gathering input from other search engines and is expected to decide by September whether to take interim action against Microsoft and whether to launch a formal investigation into the company’s practices regarding search engine syndication.
Interim action by competition enforcers is typically reserved for cases where there is evidence of market power abuse causing critically important and immediate harm to the complainant.
“This complaint lacks merit. We are fully cooperating with the Autorite’s investigation,” a Microsoft spokesperson said.
Smaller search engines in Europe often rely on larger rivals for search and news results.Microsoft’s role in search-engine syndication is ample, but smaller competitors fear the company might discontinue this service, putting them at a disadvantage in the search engine market. The core issue revolves around antitrust concerns and the potential manipulation of search results.
What’s next
The French regulator’s decision in September could considerably impact the dynamics of the European search engine market, perhaps leading to further scrutiny of Microsoft’s practices and the broader issue of competition in the tech industry.