5 sources·Business

FTC Launches Comprehensive Antitrust Investigation into Microsoft

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission investigates Microsoft's software and cloud practices amid allegations of market abuse as regulatory landscape shifts with Trump's return.

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Updated: Nov 27th, 2024, 10:11 PM ET

Summary

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The U.S. Federal Trade Commission is initiating a broad antitrust investigation into Microsoft, focusing on its software licensing practices and cloud computing services. The inquiry follows complaints from competitors alleging that Microsoft imposes restrictive licensing terms to prevent data migration from its Azure cloud service. The investigation, endorsed by FTC Chair Lina Khan, unfolds as the political climate shifts with the election of Donald Trump, raising uncertainty about the future of antitrust enforcement. Microsoft's significant role in the software and AI sectors positions this inquiry as a crucial examination of competitive practices in the tech industry.

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