European Commission probes Microsoft's security software practices

The software lets companies control who can log into their cloud-based apps. Regulators have sought to understand, among other questions, if Microsoft customers are able to use only rival software to authenticate into Microsoft services, or if they must also use Entra ID, according to the document seen by Reuters.

"The Commission has received several complaints regarding Microsoft, including in relation to its product Azure, which we are assessing based on our standard procedures," a spokesperson for the agency said in an emailed statement.

The Information earlier reported the news on Tuesday of the commission's probe, citing a document sent to a Microsoft rival.

Alphabet's Google this week ramped up its criticism of Microsoft's cloud-computing practices, saying its rival is seeking a monopoly that would hurt the growth of emerging technologies like generative artificial intelligence. Microsoft has rejected the claim.