(C) Colorado Newsline This story was originally published by Colorado Newsline and is unaltered. . . . . . . . . . . Microsoft's assault on consumer choice hurts Colorado communities • Colorado Newsline [1] ['Wendy Howell', 'Allen Best', 'Quentin Young', 'Clay Wirestone', 'More From Author', 'June', '.Wp-Block-Co-Authors-Plus-Coauthors.Is-Layout-Flow', 'Class', 'Wp-Block-Co-Authors-Plus', 'Display Inline'] Date: 2024-06-04 In Colorado, we know that while corporations have a responsibility to deliver for their shareholders, they also have a responsibility to respect the communities in which they operate. That balance is critical to maintain, because we all know the kinds of things that corporate greed can create if left unregulated: runaway inflation, suppression of workers’ rights and wages, and abusive terms and conditions being imposed on consumers. We also know this from our history, where we can see how the railroad and mining tycoons of our past were allowed to accumulate obscene wealth while openly abusing Colorado workers and communities. Righteous outrage over those abuses of the past helped to pave the way for some of our nation’s most important worker and consumer protection laws. But as new industries have emerged over the years, they have worked to find ways around, over, and under these important protections — and nowhere is this more evident than in Big Tech. That’s why when we talk about corporate accountability, one of the biggest names that should be on our radar is Microsoft. This tech giant’s dominance has long been problematic, stifling competition and hurting consumers. And as the executive director of the Working Families Party, I urge Attorney General Phil Weiser to take action now and investigate these unfair practices. Microsoft’s strategy of bundling or tying its products together — forcing consumers to buy a package of software instead of allowing them to choose individual products — is not just a business tactic. It’s a direct assault on consumer choice and market fairness. When Microsoft ties its popular Office suite to other less desired products or bundles its operating system with software that may not be needed, consumers end up paying for more than they want or need. This lack of choice is a classic monopolistic move, meant to push out competitors and keep consumers stuck using Microsoft’s products. But why should this matter to the average Coloradan? Because these practices hit us where it hurts: our wallets. When you buy a new computer loaded with software you didn’t ask for, you’re paying extra. When businesses have to buy bundled packages to get the one application they need, those costs are often passed down to customers. This results in higher prices for everyone since smaller companies and startups find it difficult to compete against a giant that can afford to give its products away as part of a bundle. And these bundling practices are not just about squeezing out extra dollars from consumers. They have a chilling effect on competition. When smaller software companies can’t compete because their products aren’t offered within a bundle, innovation suffers. Microsoft’s dominance means that new, potentially groundbreaking products from small businesses have a hard time getting noticed. This issue isn’t limited to the United States. Microsoft’s bundling practices have caught the attention of regulators around the world. The European Union has been particularly active in investigating and fining Microsoft for its anti-competitive behavior, but other countries including the U.K. and South Africa have opened up investigations into Microsoft’s cloud software and licensing deals. If these practices are significant enough to warrant international scrutiny, it’s past time that the U.S. get involved. Attorney General Weiser’s history fighting against corporate practices that undermine fair competition, and in particular his experience in antitrust work, are crucial now more than ever. By launching an investigation into Microsoft’s bundling and tying practices, he can help ensure that consumers can choose the products that best meet their needs without being forced into unnecessary purchases. An investigation would send a strong message: that even the biggest corporations must play by the rules and that consumer rights are not for sale. It would encourage Microsoft to adopt more transparent and fair marketing practices, ultimately benefiting everyone. When companies compete on a level playing field, consumers enjoy better products at lower prices, and the entire tech industry — including innovative small businesses and startups — can thrive. I know that this feels a bit familiar — in fact, we’ve been here before. When the U.S. Department of Justice sued Microsoft in the late 1990s, all of us assumed that they got the message. But here were are again, need with Microsoft abusing their market power, hurting consumers and stifling competition. Attorney General Weiser has both the authority and the responsibility to investigate these practices and hold Microsoft accountable. By doing so, he can protect consumers, promote fair competition, and ensure a more vibrant and innovative tech marketplace. [END] --- [1] Url: https://coloradonewsline.com/2024/06/04/microsofts-assault-on-consumer-choice-hurts-colorado-communities/ Published and (C) by Colorado Newsline Content appears here under this condition or license: Creative Commons CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. via Magical.Fish Gopher News Feeds: gopher://magical.fish/1/feeds/news/coloradonewsline/