Microsoft is facing a British investigation for a price increase related to Copilot

On 29 July, the British Competition and Market Authority (CMA) launched an investigation into Microsoft (MSFT.US) to examine whether the integration of the Copilot artificial intelligence function into Microsoft 365 led to higher software subscription costs for users through misleading communication. According to CMA, the focus of the survey was on whether Microsoft had clearly explained to the users the changes in the subscription programme and the price increases associated with new functions such as Copilot before the renewal of Microsoft 365 (including Word, Excel, Outlook, etc.). According to the CMA, Microsoft had provided the Copilot function free of charge to existing users last year, but automatically transferred users to a new, more expensive package when subscriptions were made. Unless the user takes the initiative to change other programmes or cancel the subscription, higher costs will be paid. At present, Microsoft has not been found to have committed an offence in the CMA. If a violation of consumer protection legislation is found, Microsoft may face a fine of up to 10 per cent of its global share。