The Hague, September 30, 2025 — The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) has opened an investigation into a major international software company operating in the business market, amid suspicions that it has abused its dominant market position.
According to ACM, the probe focuses on the company’s pricing practices and contractual terms applied to buyers in the Netherlands. The regulator believes that the firm’s market power may have enabled it to impose unfair prices or conditions, harming dependent customers and restricting competition.
“Businesses that rely heavily on this software may be paying too much or facing unfair terms,” ACM said in a statement. “Such conduct can distort competition and ultimately harm innovation and consumers.”
ACM has already conducted a dawn raid at the company’s premises and requested detailed information. In the coming months, the regulator will assess whether the firm’s conduct constitutes a breach of competition law.
If ACM finds evidence of wrongdoing, the company will have the opportunity to respond and present its defense before any sanctions are imposed.
Holding a dominant position is not illegal in itself. However, abuse of such dominance — through practices like excessive pricing or imposing unfair conditions — is strictly prohibited, the agency said.
The case forms part of ACM’s broader strategy to safeguard competition in the digital economy. “The digital economy is one of ACM’s key priorities. This investigation ties into ACM’s efforts to ensure that markets in the digital economy work well, since more and more individuals and businesses are dependent on these services,” ACM emphasized.
