Microsoft: consumer protection enforcement case
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is investigating suspected infringements of consumer law in relation to the presentation of information to customers about changes to Microsoft 365 Personal and Family subscriptions made by Microsoft Ireland Operations Limited.
Case timetable听
| Date | Action |
|---|---|
| 闯耻濒测听迟辞听顿别肠别尘产别谤听2026 | Initial investigation: information and evidence gathering (next case update听by the end of听2026) |
| 27 July听2026 | Investigation opened |
Case opening听
27 July听2026: The CMA has opened an investigation into suspected infringements of consumer protection law by听Microsoft Ireland Operations Limited, trading as听Microsoft.听
The CMA is听investigating Microsoft over concerns that customers may not have been given clear information upfront about subscription options when changes were made to Microsoft 365 Personal and Family plans 鈥� including adding new features such as Copilot. The CMA is looking into whether Microsoft鈥檚 communications with customers before renewal were misleading.听The investigation will examine whether鈥痗ustomers were given鈥痥ey鈥痠nformation鈥痑bout the plans鈥痑nd the difference in cost鈥痶o understand鈥痶he鈥痮ptions鈥痑vailable to them鈥痓efore听making a decision.听听
The CMA will now gather and analyse further evidence to听determine听whether the company has infringed consumer protection law.听
At this听initial听stage, it should not be assumed that听Microsoft听has infringed consumer protection law,听and no finding has been made.
- Press release:鈥�CMA investigates Microsoft over marketing of subscription plans (29.7.26)
颁辞苍迟补肠迟听
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Sabrina Basran, Director听
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Hayley Fletcher, Senior Responsible Officer
Personal information听
Your name and contact details are your personal data. The CMA may collect,听use听and share personal data for its consumer protection investigation under Part 8 the Enterprise Act 2002. This includes processing personal data for the purposes of the UK General Data Protection Regulation and Data Protection Act 2018.听
For more information about how the CMA handles personal information, please听read our鈥�personal information charter.