French Regulators Dismiss Qwant’s Antitrust Claims Against Microsoft
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French authorities dismissed Qwant’s antitrust complaint against Microsoft on November 27, 2025, due to insufficient evidence. The Autorité de la Concurrence found no proof of Microsoft’s dominant position in search syndication or viable alternatives for Qwant. This ruling avoids a formal investigation for now. Qwant accused Microsoft of exclusivity in search and advertising tools, limiting independent development. The regulator rejected temporary injunctions, citing lack of convincing evidence from Qwant. In June 2025, Qwant launched a new syndication service with a partner, showing available alternatives according to regulators. French regulators dismiss Qwant’s antitrust case against Microsoft for lack of evidence on dominance. Explore implications for tech competition and search engines. Stay informed on Big Tech scrutiny—read more now. What Led to the Dismissal of Qwant’s Antitrust Complaint Against Microsoft? The dismissal of Qwant’s antitrust complaint against Microsoft by French authorities stems from the search engine’s failure to provide sufficient evidence supporting its claims of abusive practices. On November 27, 2025, the Autorité de la Concurrence announced the decision, noting that Qwant could not demonstrate Microsoft’s dominant position in the relevant market for search syndication. This outcome highlights the challenges smaller players face in challenging tech giants without robust proof. How Did Qwant Accuse Microsoft of Market Abuse? Qwant, a privacy-focused French search engine, filed the complaint alleging that Microsoft imposed exclusivity restrictions through its Bing search and advertising tools. According to Qwant, these “exclusive supply arrangements” and “tying” practices forced the company to bundle services, hindering the development of its own search algorithms and AI capabilities. The regulator’s detailed review, as outlined in its official statement, examined these claims but found them lacking in evidentiary support. Supporting data from the Autorité indicates that Qwant did not adequately prove economic dependence or barriers to accessing advertising revenues. For instance, the authority pointed…
Filed under: News - @ November 27, 2025 11:15 pm