The more likely explanation is that Google fans and Microsoft haters are doign the flagging.
Even the other story about Microsoft's response is getting flagged and is far down the front page for its points.
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=5715889
What's your explanation for this constant flagging of Microsoft related stories or anti-Google ones?
Read through this thread for examples for many more stories getting flagged off the front page.
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=5716010
HN rankings graph showing abnormal and sudden dips.
http://hnrankings.info/5715168/
HN rankings graph showing low rank for a long time inspite of a lot of upvotes.