French Antitrust Watchdog Rejects Qwant Complaint Against Microsoft | Latest EU Competition News

French Antitrust Watchdog Rejects Qwant Complaint Against Microsoft — A Major Win in EU Competition Landscape

France’s antitrust authority, Autorité de la Concurrence, on 27 November 2025 dismissed a high-profile complaint filed by the French search engine Qwant against Microsoft. Qwant had alleged that Microsoft engaged in practices favoring its own ecosystem, including search and advertising tools, which it claimed hindered Qwant’s ability to compete effectively. However, the French regulator rejected the complaint, calling it an “insufficiently substantiated case.”

According to the authority, Qwant failed to provide convincing evidence that Microsoft intentionally disrupted fair competition or caused measurable harm to Qwant’s business. The watchdog also denied Qwant’s request for interim measures, which sought immediate restrictions on Microsoft’s operations pending further investigation.

For years, Qwant relied heavily on Microsoft’s Bing search infrastructure for search results, advertising tools, and news content. Qwant argued that Microsoft’s integration of certain tools and algorithms favored its own ecosystem and limited competitive opportunities for smaller search platforms. However, the regulator concluded that Qwant could not present clear, verifiable, or concrete proof to support these allegations.

Microsoft welcomed the ruling, stating that it remains committed to providing a transparent and fair platform for users and partners across France and Europe. The company noted that the decision affirms its compliance with EU competition laws and validates that its business practices do not exploit market dominance.

Qwant has not issued an official statement yet, but sources within the company indicate it is considering an appeal. If Qwant proceeds, the case could become a benchmark in Europe’s digital competition landscape — especially regarding the balance of power between big tech and smaller local search platforms.

Industry experts say the ruling sends a clear message across Europe: allegations alone are insufficient; strong evidence is mandatory. Despite heightened EU scrutiny on big tech companies, the French watchdog’s decision represents a significant legal victory for Microsoft. Analysts believe this outcome strengthens Microsoft’s regulatory standing and may influence other competition authorities to require more substantial proof before acting on similar complaints.

Technology observers also note that while Qwant and similar smaller search engines face intense competitive pressure, opportunities remain through innovation, AI advancements, and privacy-focused search tools. Nevertheless, competing against the scale and resources of global tech giants will continue to be challenging.

Overall, this ruling not only marks a decisive legal win for Microsoft in France but also highlights a broader shift in Europe’s digital market — where regulators aim to maintain a balance between fairness, innovation, and competitive neutrality.