EU Microsoft Teams unbundling investigation

During COVID-19 lockdowns, videoconferencing became essential. Microsoft Teams rode bundled distribution through Microsoft 365 subscriptions used by millions of employers and schools.

Slack—now part of Salesforce—complained to EU regulators that customers effectively got Teams 'free' inside suites they already paid for, while rivals had to charge separately.

The European Commission opened a formal investigation in July 2023 under abuse-of-dominance rules, echoing historic Microsoft media-player tying cases but in cloud productivity.

Microsoft responded by unbundling Teams from Microsoft 365 in Europe and later worldwide, offering lower-priced suites without Teams and standalone Teams plans.

Regulators must decide whether those changes fully undo alleged harm or arrived too late after rivals lost share.

The case intersects with Microsoft's gatekeeper status under the DMA for Windows and LinkedIn, though Teams tying is primarily classic Article 102 territory.

Investigation continues; Microsoft has not been fined or found to have abused dominance in a final decision.

Office defaults shape which chat tool your employer uses—often without a explicit vote.

Bundling cases in cloud software update 1990s PC tying fights for subscription era.

Successful unbundling could embolden rivals and independent procurement teams.

Shows EU willingness to probe SaaS suites, not just app stores and search.

Pricing changes may affect IT budgets even when products look similar.

Microsoft tied Teams to dominant office productivity suites illegally.

Bundling foreclosed Slack and other standalone collaboration tools.

Microsoft withheld interoperability information needed for fair competition.

Remedies must restore equal footing, not just cosmetic SKU splits.

Microsoft says Teams competes with Zoom, Google Meet, and Slack on merit.

It argues unbundling and new prices address any competitive concerns.

Microsoft maintains integration benefits customers who want unified workflows.

It points to rapid Teams improvements during the pandemic as consumer welfare gains.

Your employer may renegotiate Microsoft contracts with optional Teams SKUs.

If you prefer Slack or Zoom, IT departments gain leverage from unbundling.

No refunds for past bundled years are on the table yet.

Global pricing changes may appear even outside Europe.

The Commission closed the file with commitments on 12 September 2025. There was no infringement fine.