Messaging platform Slack files antitrust complaint against Microsoft

*Slack wants a level-playing field ─Report

Web Editor | ConsumerConnect

Slack has filed an antitrust complaint against Microsoft with the European Commission, accusing it of abusing its power by integrating a competing Teams product with its cloud-based productivity suite.

Slack in a statement said “Microsoft has illegally tied its Teams product into its market-dominant Office productivity suite, force installing it for millions, blocking its removal, and hiding the true cost to enterprise customers.”

The workplace instant messaging platform added that it “can’t ignore illegal behaviour that deprives customers of access to the tools and solutions they want,” reports Financial Times.

The company’s executives disclosed that they are asking the EU “to ensure Microsoft cannot continue to illegally leverage its power from one market to another by bundling or tying products.”

Slack wants Microsoft to be forced to sell Teams separately to Microsoft 365 customers. But the issue is much bigger than Slack versus Microsoft, said Jonathan Prince, Vice President of Communications and Policy at Slack, according to report.

Prince said in a blog post that “Slack simply wants fair competition and a level playing field. Healthy competition drives innovation and creates the best products and the most choice for customers.

“Competition and antitrust laws are designed to ensure that dominant companies are not allowed to foreclose competition illegally,” he stated.

They’re asking the EU to “be a neutral referee, examine the facts, and enforce the law.

David Schellhase, General Counsel at Slack, also said that “Slack is asking the European Commission to take swift action to ensure Microsoft cannot continue to illegally leverage its power from one market to another by bundling or tying products.”