The news: Microsoft accused Google of creating “astroturf” lobbying groups to discredit the Windows creator with EU regulators.
Microsoft deputy general counsel Rima Alaily said in a blog post that Google is directing and largely funding a new shadow lobbying group to attack Microsoft’s cloud computing business in the EU and the UK.
The lobbying group in question, called Open Cloud Coalition, announced its launch Tuesday and named Google Cloud as a member. Astroturf organizations are fake grassroots groups, often funded by corporations or political entities, that hide their sponsors to promote private interests.