EU set to designate AWS and Azure as gatekeepers: what this means for cloud-based businesses
According to reports from Bloomberg, the European Commission is expected to designate Amazon Web Services and Microsoft Azure as gatekeepers under the Digital Markets Act in November. While not yet official, the move signals a shift towards increased interoperability and data portability in the cloud sector.
News summary
The European Commission could designate Amazon Web Services and Microsoft Azure as gatekeepers under the Digital Markets Act (DMA) in November 2026. This information stems from sources cited by Bloomberg and reported by other outlets; however, as the Commission has not publicly set a date, this should be treated as a projection rather than a final decision.
The procedure began on 18 November 2025, and on 25 June 2026, Brussels communicated its preliminary stance: both cloud services should be designated. Notably, AWS and Azure do not meet the standard quantitative thresholds; the evaluation is qualitative, focusing on whether they act as an important gateway between businesses and customers. The Commission has also highlighted the growing influence of their artificial intelligence tools in cloud procurement decisions.
If the designation is confirmed, Amazon and Microsoft would have six months to comply with DMA obligations for these services. According to Reuters, this would involve limits on self-preferencing their own products, alongside interoperability and data portability requirements. Both companies have challenged this approach: AWS argues that the European Data Act already regulates the cloud, while Microsoft insists that Google Cloud's market share must also be considered.
For companies, the practical takeaway is not to wait for Brussels, but to review their level of dependency today. Regulated portability will make switching providers easier, but these advantages will only benefit those who know exactly which data, services, and configurations need to be moved—and the associated costs.
At Seintec, we work with architectures that combine public cloud, private cloud in our Osona datacenter, and hybrid environments. Our recommendation is to design an exit strategy before it is needed: using open formats, maintaining backups outside the primary provider, and ensuring contracts clearly define how data is recovered.
Source: FomoEra / The Next Web (Bloomberg) — 2 October 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is the designation of AWS and Azure official yet?
- No. There is a preliminary position from the Commission dating from June 2026 and a projected decision in November according to Bloomberg sources, but the final date and content have not yet been published.
- Does this change anything for SMEs currently using AWS or Azure?
- Contractual terms remain unchanged for now. However, it is advisable to prepare an inventory of dependencies to take full advantage of future portability and interoperability obligations once they come into force.
Concepts mentioned in this article: Cloud · Private cloud · Public cloud · Data centre · Backup
If your business relies on a single cloud provider, it is vital to know the cost of an exit. At Seintec, we analyse your environment and design cloud or hybrid architectures with genuine portability. Speak to our team.
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