France: Competition Authority rejected complaint filed by Qwant against Microsoft and request for interim measures over allegations of abusive practices in the search syndication and online advertising sectors

On 27 November 2025, the French Competition Authority rejected Qwant’s complaint against Microsoft, as well as its request for interim measures. Qwant, active in the general online search sector and partly using Microsoft technology since 2016, had alleged that Microsoft abused a dominant position and a situation of economic dependence through exclusivity, tied selling, restrictions on AI model development, and discrimination in access to search-related online advertising. The Authority outlined how general search services operate, including algorithmic and paid results, network effects, and the provision of syndication services by Google, Microsoft, Brave, Mojeek, and, since June 2025, European Search Perspective, a joint venture between Qwant and Ecosia. It found no evidence that Microsoft holds a dominant position or that Qwant was economically dependent on it. The Authority also noted Qwant’s own search capabilities and the joint syndication offering with Ecosia. It concluded that there was insufficient evidence for any of the alleged practices and rejected the complaint on the merits, along with the request for interim measures.