3 ms·

They reached a deal last year to stop complaining to regulators about each other: https://www.recode.net/2016/4/22/11586336/microsoft-google-agree-to-stop-comp

• gorkonsine 9y ago
  This should be proof of illegal collusion and grounds for a gigantic fine for each of them. It's just like the no-poaching agreement they got in trouble with a few years ago.
  • tedmielczarek 9y ago
    That would require the US to have a functioning justice department.
  • endominus 9y ago
    IANAL, but I think that would count as "compelling speech" ("You MUST complain to regulators about each other!") which is explicitly forbidden in the States (not sure about Europe, but I think it's the same).
    • gorkonsine 9y ago
      We're not talking about individuals here, we're talking about corporations. Collusion between companies for the sake of negatively affecting the market (such as establishing a cartel) is illegal in any jurisdiction with proper, functioning laws. As I mentioned before, this is similar to the no-poaching agreement which they got into trouble (not nearly enough though) before.