US regulators launch antitrust investigation into Microsoft
It was reported in November 2024 that the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) launched an investigation into Microsoft for antitrust violations.
US Antitrust Watchdog Launches Broad Microsoft Investigation - Bloomberg
Microsoft faces wide-ranging US antitrust probe | Reuters
The FTC is investigating Microsoft over a range of products, from cloud computing and software licensing to cybersecurity and artificial intelligence products. According to a person familiar with the matter, the FTC conducted informal investigations of competitors and business partners before starting its investigation into Microsoft, and based on this, it has prepared detailed requests to compel Microsoft to hand over information. The request, which is hundreds of pages long, was reportedly sent to Microsoft after being signed by FTC Chairman Lina Khan.
The FTC is investigating allegations that Microsoft may be abusing its market power in productivity software, including Word and Excel, imposing punitive licensing terms to prevent customers from moving data from its Azure cloud service to competing platforms, and cybersecurity and artificial intelligence products. According to anonymous sources, the main focus of the investigation is Microsoft's bundling of Office products such as Word and Excel with security products such as Microsoft Defender in its subscription service Microsoft 365 .
Microsoft has previously been investigated by the European Commission over its bundling of Office and Teams, and NetChoice, a lobbying group representing online companies such as Amazon and Google, has criticized Microsoft's licensing policies and its integration of AI tools into Office and Outlook.
Microsoft is under investigation by EU regulators for allegedly violating antitrust laws by bundling Office and Teams - GIGAZINE
According to people familiar with the matter, FTC antitrust lawyers plan to meet with Microsoft competitors as soon as December 2024 to gather more information about the company's business practices.
Khan's term as chairman expires in January 2025, and it is unclear whether the next FTC chairman, who will be appointed by President-elect Donald Trump, will continue the investigation into Microsoft.
The FTC and Microsoft have not commented on the report.
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