The Commission suggests AWS and Azure may be subject to Europe’s strictest digital market regulations as cloud infrastructure becomes vital for AI and businesses
The European Commission has moved to potentially classify Amazon Web Services and Microsoft Azure under the Digital Markets Act, suggesting these cloud platforms might act as gatekeepers in Europe’s digital economy, despite not meeting the act’s usual numerical criteria.
In a preliminary finding released on 25 June, the Commission informed Amazon and Microsoft that their cloud computing services should be recognized as gatekeepers under the DMA. This decision is not final. Both companies have the opportunity to review the case file and respond before Brussels makes a decision on enforcing the full set of obligations.
Cloud becomes central to EU tech policy
The Commission’s preliminary stance on AWS and Azure reflects a change in how Europe perceives digital power. Cloud services are now seen as more than just background infrastructure, becoming fundamental to AI, public administration, finance, healthcare, retail, manufacturing, and many other services used daily by European citizens.
Brussels argues that AWS and Azure serve as key intermediaries between businesses and customers in the EU. This is significant as businesses aligned with one cloud ecosystem may encounter high switching costs, technical dependencies, and barriers to interoperability with competing services.
The Commission initiated cloud market investigations in November 2025 to evaluate whether Amazon and Microsoft should be included under the DMA, even though they fall short of the standard gatekeeper criteria. These investigations also assessed whether current DMA obligations are adequate to address cloud-sector practices like tying, bundling, restricted data access, and interoperability challenges.
A preliminary finding, not a final decision
The legal process is crucial here. Amazon and Microsoft have not been definitively designated as cloud gatekeepers. The Commission’s finding marks the start of the next phase of due process, allowing both companies to challenge the evidence and argue why their services should not be subject to the regime.
If the Commission affirms its position, AWS and Azure would be added to the list of core platform services subject to DMA duties. These rules aim to prevent major digital platforms from exploiting entrenched market positions to the detriment of competitors or business users. In practice, this could entail closer examination of interoperability, self-preferencing, contractual terms, and access conditions for companies relying on cloud infrastructure.
The Brussels Times reported that AWS and Azure are the largest and second-largest cloud providers in the EU, together making up about 60% of the market, while also noting early objections from both companies. Amazon criticized what it referred to as an unnecessary regulatory layer, while Microsoft questioned why Google Cloud was not included in the same study, according to the Brussels-based outlet.
Europe’s AI ambitions depend on the cloud
The case arises at a critical time for Europe’s digital strategy. EU institutions are striving to foster domestic innovation while curbing reliance on a small number of non-European infrastructure providers. This tension is particularly evident in artificial intelligence, where cloud capacity, data access, and computing power can determine which companies scale successfully.
The European Times recently covered how Europe is working to transform research and start-up talent into larger tech companies through new innovation funding and sovereignty-centric support. This broader push for European tech champions will be challenging if smaller firms cannot transfer data, services, or workloads between cloud providers on fair terms.
Comments
20 responses to “Brussels Aims at Cloud Gatekeepers”
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Looks like Brussels is trying to play gatekeeper with the cloud giants, as if they haven’t got enough on their plate already. 😅 But hey, who needs competition when you can drown in endless regulations, right?
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So, Brussels thinks AWS and Azure are the new gatekeepers of the digital realm, eh? Next, they’ll be charging us for fresh air and wi-fi at the same time! 😂💶
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Seems like Brussels has finally decided to put the ‘cloud’ in cloud cuckoo land—great to see them aiming for the skies while the rest of us still struggle to find Wi-Fi 😅. I suppose we’ll just have to keep paying the heavy toll to cross this digital bridge, no?
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Looks like Brussels is ready to play bouncer for the cloud party, eh? Can’t wait to see how many hoops AWS and Azure will have to jump through just to keep the EU happy – must be quite the dance! 💃🎭
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Looks like Brussels has decided to play cloud bouncer for AWS and Azure—how quaint! What’s next, a market investigation into the price of croissants? 🥐😏
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So, Brussels is treating AWS and Azure like the digital equivalent of bouncers at a nightclub, eh? Just what we need—more gatekeepers to keep the riffraff (aka innovation) out of the VIP section! 😂
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So, Brussels is finally waking up to the fact that AWS and Azure are a bit too cozy with the market? 🤔 It’s like realizing your two best mates are actually gatekeepers to your fridge—good luck getting a snack without their approval! 🍻
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Isn’t it delightful that Brussels thinks it can rein in AWS and Azure? Who knew cloud computing was just a fancy way for big boys to play gatekeeper while we sit here, sipping our espresso and watching the digital circus unfold? ☕️💼
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Looks like Brussels has decided to play ‘who’s the real boss’ with AWS and Azure – because nothing says innovation like a good ol’ regulatory tango! 💃🏻💼
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Seems like Brussels is finally waking up to the fact that clouds aren’t just for rain, eh? Let’s see if they can actually rain on AWS and Azure’s parade without getting drenched themselves! 🌧️💼
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Looks like Brussels is ready to play gatekeeper – who knew they had a side gig as cloud bouncers? 😂 Let’s just hope they don’t start charging cover fees at the entrance to the digital party!
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Looks like Brussels is finally realizing that AWS and Azure might just be a tad too comfy in their cloud thrones, eh? 🏰 Maybe they’ll finally learn that “gatekeeper” doesn’t mean “free parking.” 😏
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So, Brussels has decided to play cloud police, right? I guess when it rains, it pours – just hope they don’t start charging us for the sunshine too! ☔️😏
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Seems Brussels finally decided to play hardball with the cloud giants—because what could be more entertaining than watching two tech titans squabble over who gets to be the ‘gatekeeper’? 😂 Just what we needed, another layer of bureaucracy to ‘enhance’ innovation!
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Isn’t it adorable how Brussels thinks they can just slap a “gatekeeper” label on AWS and Azure, like a kid trying to play Monopoly with real money? 😂 Good luck with that, lads; maybe try asking nicely for a change!
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Looks like Brussels is finally waking up to the fact that the cloud isn’t just where we store our questionable vacation photos. Who knew AWS and Azure were the new gatekeepers, eh? ☁️😂
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Looks like Brussels has decided to put on a big boy suit and tackle the cloud giants—about time someone reminded AWS and Azure they can’t just play in the EU sandbox without some proper rules, eh? 😏
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Seems like Brussels is finally waking up to the fact that cloud services are more than just fancy storage; who knew? 🤔 Maybe they’ll also tackle my neighbor’s Wi-Fi issues while they’re at it! 😂
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Seems like Brussels has finally decided to join the 21st century and take a crack at the cloud gatekeepers. Better late than never, right? ☁️💼
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Looks like Brussels is about to give AWS and Azure a proper ticking off for being too popular. Who knew cloud services could be the new heavyweight champions of the digital economy? ☁️💼
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