Italy regulator probes Microsoft over 'Microsoft 365' price hike
The watchdog said 365 customers were moved to pricier plans by default unless they opted out, raising concerns about unclear AI bundling disclosures.
- On June 26, Italy's Autorità Garante della Concorrenza e del Mercato opened an investigation into Microsoft over alleged unfair commercial practices tied to Microsoft 365 price increases and AI service integration.
- Starting July 1, 2026, Microsoft will integrate Copilot and Designer AI tools into the 365 bundle, automatically moving customers to a more expensive plan unless they actively opt out.
- The AGCM claimed Microsoft provided information in a "fragmented manner" and failed to clarify the AI integration, adding the practice "may also constitute an aggressive practice, as it appears to have unduly restricted consumers' freedom of choice."
- Microsoft is entitled to make its case as the review proceeds, though the company previously resolved a years-long investigation into 365 in Europe last September by agreeing to unbundle services.
- The company faces ongoing examination from the Federal Trade Commission, while the Commission recently signaled it favors designating Microsoft's Azure cloud service under the Digital Markets Act to ban unfair practices.
14 Articles
14 Articles
The Italian antitrust authority announced on Friday (26) the opening of an investigation against Microsoft due to alleged unfair commercial practices related to the price increase of its Microsoft 365 subscription. The regulatory body stated that the Windows developer did not adequately inform consumers about the integration of its Microsoft 365 service with the Copilot and Designer artificial intelligence tools. Consumers were automatically tra…
Italy probes AI-fueled price hikes in Microsoft 365
Microsoft is facing fresh regulatory grief in Europe after Italy's competition watchdog opened an investigation into claims Redmond added AI features to Microsoft 365 and automatically moved subscribers to more expensive plans unless they opted out. The Italian Competition Authority (AGCM) is investigating Microsoft Ireland Operations and Microsoft Italy over what it describes as a potentially unfair commercial practice surrounding recent Micros…
Antitrust opens probe into price increase for Microsoft 365 subscription service
Italy's Antitrust Authority on Friday opened a probe into the price increase for the Microsoft 365 subscription service. The authority said it has launched an investigation into Microsoft Ireland Operations Ltd. and Microsoft S.r.l. (ANSA)
Italy opens an antitrust probe into Microsoft 365’s AI price rise
The regulator says customers were moved to a pricier Copilot-bundled plan unless they actively opted out, with too little information to choose. The mechanics of a price rise can matter as much as the price itself, which is the question Italy’s competition authority has now decided to examine. On 26 June, the regulator said it […] This story continues at The Next Web
L'Antitrust Italiana opens an investigation against the American company for incorrect commercial practice relating to information on the increase of the subscription price to the service "Microsoft 365"
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