14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft loves China, but China doesn’t love Microsoft. This is pretty much the most accurate description of what is happening right now in China, as no matter how hard the software giant is trying to improve its position in the country, the company can’t get out of the problems it has with local authorities.
The Redmond-based software giant is once again under scrutiny in the country, according to a report by CNN, as the China State Administration for Industry and Commerce Investigation (SAIC) is now questioning the company as part of the antitrust case that it started last year.
Right now, it’s not very clear what these questions are related to, but the Chinese antitrust investigators suggested that it’s a scrutiny involving information obtained in the last months.
Chinese prosecutors raided Microsoft’s offices in the country last year and seized several computers and documents, so it’s possible that these questions could concern information included in them.
Microsoft’s problems in China
The company’s trouble in the country started last year, when Windows 8 was banned on government computers amid claims that the United States could use the operating system to steal state secrets and access information handled by local officials.
Soon after that, China started an antitrust investigation against Microsoft, but the allegations have never been clear enough. The company has been accused of mishandling Windows and Office sales in China and violating some local competition rules, but details have always been very vague.
Recently, Microsoft announced a deal with the Chinese government to install Windows 10 on their PCs, and despite the fact that all signs pointed to a possible reconciliation, it turns out that this isn’t going to happen.
When asked about China’s new scrutiny in this antitrust case, Microsoft had only the following to say:
"We're serious about complying with China's laws and committed to addressing the SAIC's questions and concerns.”