Microsoft is under scrutiny as the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) launches a comprehensive antitrust investigation into the tech giant’s business practices. The probe will assess operations across multiple sectors, including cloud computing, software licensing, cybersecurity services, and artificial intelligence.

Key Developments

• The FTC has reportedly requested extensive information from Microsoft as part of its investigation, following a year-long preliminary inquiry involving interviews with competitors and business partners.
• The investigation, backed by FTC Chair Lina Khan, could face uncertainty if she steps down in January, as anticipated under a new administration. A Republican successor is expected to adopt a more lenient stance toward tech firms.
• Microsoft has not issued a statement in response to the ongoing inquiry.

This is not Microsoft’s first encounter with antitrust scrutiny. Competitors have accused the company of restrictive practices, including allegedly locking customers into its Azure cloud services and using licensing policies that critics argue disadvantage rival platforms.

In a related development, Google recently filed a complaint with the European Commission, alleging that Microsoft imposed a 400% premium on customers seeking to use Windows Server with competing cloud providers. Google also claimed Microsoft restricted access to critical security updates for those customers.

Ongoing Tech Sector Probes

Microsoft’s investigation comes amid broader antitrust actions targeting major US tech companies.

• Meta (Facebook’s parent), Apple, and Amazon have faced accusations of monopolistic practices.
• Google is defending itself in two high-profile lawsuits, including one concerning competition violations in online search.

In the coming days, FTC lawyers are expected to meet with Microsoft’s competitors to gather further evidence on its business practices. This investigation could have significant implications for the company and the broader tech industry, as authorities worldwide continue to challenge the dominance of tech giants.

Microsoft’s future may hinge on how it addresses these mounting regulatory pressures, particularly as the focus sharpens on its role in cloud computing and AI innovation.