Core Points - Google has withdrawn its antitrust complaint against Microsoft's cloud computing business following the European Commission's new investigation into Microsoft's cloud services under the Digital Markets Act (DMA) [1] - The complaint was initially filed in September 2024, alleging unfair licensing practices in Microsoft's Azure cloud services [1] - The European Commission has launched three investigations under the DMA, focusing on whether Amazon AWS and Microsoft Azure should be classified as "gatekeepers" in the cloud computing sector [1][2] Summary by Sections Antitrust Complaint Withdrawal - Google retracted its complaint against Microsoft after the European Commission initiated a formal investigation into Microsoft's and Amazon's market power in cloud computing [1] - The initial complaint was based on claims of unfair licensing policies in Azure, submitted in September 2024 [1] European Commission Investigations - The Commission has started three investigations under the DMA framework, assessing the market positions of Amazon AWS and Microsoft Azure [1] - The first two investigations will evaluate if these services qualify as "gatekeepers," which are critical digital service gateways for businesses and consumers [2] - Although AWS and Azure do not currently meet the DMA's thresholds for scale, user numbers, and market position, the Commission deems further scrutiny necessary [1][2] Market Impact and Regulatory Actions - The European Commission aims to complete the investigations within 12 months and release a final report in 18 months [2] - If Amazon or Microsoft is identified as a gatekeeper violating DMA regulations, they will have six months to rectify their cloud business practices [2] - This regulatory scrutiny indicates an escalation in the EU's examination of competition dynamics, technological barriers, and data control in the cloud computing industry, potentially affecting the business strategies of the three major tech giants in Europe [2]