The information provided on EL7.AI is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice.
In a move that tightens regulatory pressure on Big Tech, the European Commission has informed Amazon and Microsoft that their cloud computing services (AWS and Azure) are preliminarily classified as gatekeepers under the Digital Markets Act (DMA), according to reports from pymnts.com. This preliminary designation could impose new obligations on the two companies to ensure fair competition in the European market.
Sign in to access this content
Sign InThe development comes as part of an expansion of the DMA's scope to cover cloud computing, a sector dominated by AWS and Azure with a significant market share. The Commission has previously classified companies such as Apple, Google, and Meta as gatekeepers, imposing restrictions on data processing and interoperability. Analysts believe this designation could set a regulatory precedent for the entire cloud industry.
In terms of stock prices, Amazon (AMZN) closed at $228.93 on June 25, 2026, while Microsoft (MSFT) closed at $354.51 on the same session, with potential negative price impacts as the regulatory case evolves. Investors are watching for the Commission's final decision and its effect on the companies' cloud strategies, especially amid growing regulatory scrutiny in the sector.