183217343 story [](//news.slashdot.org/index2.pl?fhfilter=uk)[ ](//news.slashdot.org/index2.pl?fhfilter=microsoft)[](//news.slashdot.org/index2.pl?fhfilter=windows) Posted by [BeauHD](https://www.linkedin.com/in/beauhd/) on Thursday May 14, 2026 @07:00PM from the under-investigation dept. The UK's Competition and Markets Authority is [opening](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/cma-announces-package-of-actions-on-business-software-and-cloud-services) a formal investigation into [whether Microsoft's bundling of Windows, Office, Teams, Copilot, and related products harms competition](https://www.engadget.com/2172943/uk-antitrust-regulator-is-officially-investigating-microsoft-office/). Engadget reports: _"Our aim is to understand how these markets are developing, Microsoft's position within them and to consider what, if any, targeted action may be needed to ensure UK organizations can benefit from choice, innovation and competitive prices," CMA Chief Executive Sarah Cardell said in a statement published by [Reuters](https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/uk-opens-antitrust-probe-into-microsofts-business-software-2026-05-14/). She also stressed the importance of the investigation by noting that hundreds of thousands of UK residents use business software and Microsoft products. The organization will take a look into the company's cloud licensing practices. The CMA has stated that the inquiry will conclude by February. At that point, Microsoft could get slapped with a strategic market label. Microsoft says it's "committed to working quickly and constructively with the CMA to facilitate its review of the business software market." A strategic market designation doesn't automatically assume wrongdoing, but will give the CMA more leeway when conducting further interventions. _

European Union regulators have ordered Meta Platforms to restore access to WhatsApp for rival AI chatbot makers LONDON -- European Union regulators on Tuesday ordered Meta Platforms to restore access to WhatsApp for rival AI chatbot makers until an [antitrust investigation](https://apnews.com/article/whatsapp-meta-eu-european-union-antitrust-ai-c2b1000da61c204612b2fd2c5d4dd678) is complete. The bloc's executive Commission, which is the 27-nation EU's top antitrust and competition enforcer, said it was taking action to prevent harm to competition in the growing market for AI assistants before it's too late. The commission said it was imposing “interim measures” while it continues its investigation into WhatsApp’s artificial intelligence policy over concerns the company is breaching EU law by blocking competitors from offering their AI assistants on the platform. Meta said it would appeal. “The European Commission has decided that OpenAI and some of the largest companies in the world can use the paid-for WhatsApp Business product for free," the company said in a statement. “This is regulatory overreach subsidized by the many European companies that pay.” Brussels has occasionally resorted to temporary orders after facing criticism that previous years-long antitrust investigations into Big Tech companies were too slow to rein in their market power. “AI markets are developing exceptionally fast, and AI assistants are expected to become an important way for consumers all across Europe to access and use AI,” the commission’s executive vice-president overseeing competition, Teresa Ribera, told reporters in Brussels. “Therefore, when the damage can happen quickly and there is a risk of companies being forced to leave the market, we need to use our tools.” [  ](https://abcnews.com/International/live-updates/iran-live-updates-irgc-claims-airbase-attack-after/?id=133475855) [  ](https://abcnews.com/US/body-american-airlines-flight-attendant-found-dead-washed/story?id=133667898) [  ](https://abcnews.com/International/american-missing-japan-found-dead-mountainous-area-kyoto/story?id=133651194) EU regulators last year began [scrutinizing updated terms and conditions](https://apnews.com/article/whatsapp-meta-eu-european-union-antitrust-d27e518864461f2d33388bc38b4df724) for Meta's business customers using AI assistants to communicate with customers over WhatsApp. They were concerned that the agreement prevented third-party AI companies from offering their assistants on the platform, leaving only Meta’s chatbot service available to users. Meta attempted to resolve the probe by charging rivals for access, but that didn't satisfy regulators, who threatened in April to force the company to reinstate access for free. Riber said Meta's fee was so high it was “not economically sustainable for competitors,” without providing more details. The commission's order would remain in place until June 2029 or until the end of the investigation, which has no deadline. If Meta doesn't comply with the order, it could face fines of up to 10% of annual revenue.