Microsoft set to escape French antitrust probe as Qwant complaint falters

Microsoft is expected to sidestep a French antitrust probe into its search business after regulators signaled plans to dismiss a complaint by local rival Qwant, easing scrutiny of the US tech giant even as Europe ramps up enforcement of digital competition rules.

France’s competition authority is preparing to reject Qwant’s allegations that Microsoft imposed exclusivity restrictions and favored its own services in search and advertising, a decision that could be announced in the coming weeks, according to a Reuters report.

Qwant, which has historically relied on Microsoft’s Bing to power search and news results, had accused Microsoft of imposing restrictive terms that hindered its ability to expand its own search technology.

Several other smaller search engines, including Ecosia, DuckDuckGo, and Lilo, also use Microsoft’s syndication feed for results.  

The outcome of this complaint would matter to CIOs as it touches vendor dependency and platform terms. If the complaint is dismissed, scrutiny may shift from one-off cases to compliance with Europe’s Digital Markets Act (DMA).

Qwant CEO Olivier Abecassis said investigators had advised against pursuing the case following a closed hearing in June, the report said. He added that Qwant is considering an appeal or a referral to other European regulators to continue challenging Microsoft’s practices.

Broader implications for enterprises

Analysts say European regulators are becoming more selective about which complaints proceed, with greater emphasis on the merits and the market where the conduct occurs.

“Microsoft can escape this because its share in search is relatively small,” said Pareekh Jain, CEO at Pareekh Consulting. “Google is the dominant player. On the other hand, the case shapes the perception that big tech still squeezes smaller players. Many European tech companies have depended on US platforms. If antitrust enforcement becomes more selective in a broader context, you will see a stronger business case and public support for ‘sovereign’ approaches in Europe, including sovereign AI.”

For Microsoft’s customers and partners, the concern is dependence on a platform that also competes in adjacent services. Microsoft’s dual role, supplying technology while competing with smaller firms, creates a natural tension, according to Tulika Sheel, senior VP at Kadence International.

“It raises questions about fairness and dependency, especially for smaller European companies using Microsoft tools,” Sheel said. “Even without a formal case, regulators may keep watching how balanced that relationship really is.” 

Gatekeeper rules still apply

Microsoft is already designated as a gatekeeper under DMA. Regardless of the outcome of Qwant’s complaint, regulators may still examine whether Microsoft’s conduct provides fair and open access, Jain said.

“This goes beyond search,” Jain added. “Practically, enforcers might be more selective after a dismissal, but technically they retain full powers under the DMA because gatekeeper obligations apply.”

The DMA equips regulators with new tools to shape platform behavior, Sheel said, and attention is likely to shift toward concrete tests of compliance. In practice, that means scrutiny of interoperability, data sharing, and how open Microsoft keeps its platforms.

“So, the pressure may shift from punishment to proactive compliance and transparency,” Sheel added. “The real test for Microsoft now lies in how openly it operates under the new EU digital rules.” This discussion is unfolding as the US government scrutinizes the DMA and the Digital Services Act, citing concerns about potential discrimination against American companies.