Germany's anti-cartel watchdog said Monday it had placed US tech giant Microsoft under closer surveillance for any possible abuse of its market position. The Federal Cartel Office said it had determined Microsoft was "of paramount significance for competition across markets", a move that would allow the watchdog to take action and prohibit "anti-competitive practices".

Germany's anti-cartel watchdog said Monday it had placed US tech giant Microsoft under closer surveillance for any possible abuse of its market position. The Federal Cartel Office said it had determined Microsoft was "of paramount significance for competition across markets", a move that would allow the watchdog to take action and prohibit "anti-competitive practices".

Germany's anti-cartel watchdog said Monday it had placed US tech giant Microsoft under closer surveillance for any possible abuse of its market position.

DUSSELDORF : Germany's competition watchdog said on Monday that it had classified Microsoft as a "company with paramount cross-market significance for competition", meaning that it can take stronger action against the tech giant going forward."Microsoft's many products are ubiquitous and indispensable in