A new cloud computing lobbying body, the Open Cloud Coalition (OCC), has launched in Europe with Google as a key member, alongside nine other cloud providers. The OCC aims to promote competition, transparency, and resilience in the cloud market, conducting research and engaging with regulators to ensure a level playing field.

The launch comes amid a backdrop of intense competition in the cloud infrastructure market, with Microsoft and Amazon Web Services (AWS) dominating the landscape. Microsoft has accused Google of orchestrating a "shadow campaign" to influence cloud regulation in Europe, claiming the OCC is an "astroturf group" funded and controlled by Google.

However, the OCC's supporters argue that the organization is necessary to counter Microsoft's dominance and promote a more competitive and flexible market. The coalition's head, Nicky Stewart, stated that businesses are often trapped in restrictive agreements and face high costs and barriers when trying to switch providers, and that the OCC aims to reverse this trend by promoting open standards.

The OCC's launch is timely, with a new European Commission taking office and the UK conducting an in-depth cloud market investigation into vendor lock-in practices, with results expected in 2025. The coalition's efforts could have significant implications for the future of cloud computing in Europe, and the tech industry will be watching closely to see how this plays out.