The European Commission has launched an investigation into Amazon and Microsoft’s cloud computing services to determine if they are in compliance with the EU’s antitrust regulations. The probe will focus on whether the companies are using their dominant market positions to unfairly restrict competition in the digital marketplace. Both Amazon and Microsoft have faced similar scrutiny in the past for their cloud services.

The EU’s investigation comes as cloud computing continues to grow in popularity and dominance in the tech industry. Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Microsoft Azure are two of the largest cloud service providers in the world, with AWS holding a 32% market share and Azure holding a 20% market share. The EU is concerned that these companies may be engaging in anti-competitive practices that stifle innovation and harm consumers.

The European Commission is specifically looking into whether Amazon and Microsoft have engaged in practices that limit the ability of third-party sellers to access and use their cloud services. This could include imposing unfair terms and conditions, restricting access to data, or unfairly favoring their own products and services over those of competitors. The investigation will also assess whether these practices have had a negative impact on consumers and businesses in the EU.

If the EU finds that Amazon and Microsoft have violated antitrust regulations, they could face significant fines and be forced to change their business practices. This investigation is part of the EU’s broader effort to ensure fair competition in the digital marketplace and protect consumers from anti-competitive behavior. Both Amazon and Microsoft have stated that they will fully cooperate with the investigation and are committed to complying with EU regulations.

Read more at Investing.com: EU probes Amazon, Microsoft’s cloud services for potential curbs