Slack Files EU Antitrust Complaint Against Microsoft Over Teams Integration
A major antitrust battle has emerged between workplace collaboration rivals Slack and Microsoft, with Slack filing a formal complaint with European Union regulators. The dispute centers on Microsoft’s bundling of its Teams product with the dominant Office 365 suite.
The Core Allegations
Slack’s complaint alleges that Microsoft is engaging in anti-competitive practices by:
- Forcibly bundling Teams with Office 365
- Making Teams difficult to uninstall
- Obscuring the true costs to enterprise customers
“Microsoft has illegally tied its Teams product into its market-dominant Office productivity suite,” Slack stated in an official release.
The Competitive Landscape
The conflict highlights the intensifying battle in workplace communication tools:
- Microsoft Teams reported 75 million daily active users in April 2020
- Slack reported 12.5 million daily active users in March 2020
- Microsoft first launched Teams in 2016, prompting Slack to take out a full-page ad welcoming the competition
Broader Tech Industry Developments
App Store Controversy Continues
Apple has doubled down on defending its 30% App Store commission structure, releasing new research to support its position amid growing scrutiny from developers and regulators.
Major Music Licensing Deal
Spotify and Universal Music Group signed a significant new licensing agreement that includes collaboration on developing new marketing tools for artists.
Social Media Moderation
Twitter took action against QAnon conspiracy theories, banning 7,000 accounts and implementing new restrictions on related content in trending topics and recommendations.
Startup Funding Highlights
Warehouse Robotics
Dexterity emerged from stealth mode with $56.2 million in funding for its collaborative warehouse robots that handle tasks like bin picking and box packing.
Sustainable Grocery Delivery
Misfits Market secured $85 million in Series B funding for its service delivering imperfect produce and pantry staples to consumers.
Airbnb Monetization
Y Combinator-backed Glimpse developed a platform helping Airbnb hosts generate revenue through strategic product placements in their properties.
Expert Insights
Startup Financial Guidance
Financial adviser Peyton Carr published part three of his founder’s guide, focusing on key considerations before selling company stock.
Revenue Recovery Strategies
Baruch Labunski of Rank Secure demonstrated how messenger tools can help recover millions in lost revenue, citing a $5 million success case.
Notable Security Incident
Genetic genealogy service GEDmatch confirmed a data breach that temporarily made all user DNA profiles available to law enforcement, including those who had opted out of such matching.
Alternative IPO Paths
The latest Equity podcast explored Special Purpose Acquisition Companies (SPACs) as an emerging alternative for companies seeking to go public through different pricing mechanisms.
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