The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is investigating Microsoft in an antitrust probe, focusing on its cloud services, software licensing, cybersecurity and AI offerings. This makes Microsoft the fifth Big Tech company under such scrutiny. The investigation centers on bundling practices involving Azure and productivity software, sparked by security incidents affecting government clients.
The FTC has been gathering information for over a year, following concerns from the government Cyber Safety Review Board, which criticized Microsoft’s security practices. This marks a return to antitrust challenges for Microsoft, which faced a major lawsuit in the 1990s. While the company has avoided scrutiny in recent years, the FTC’s next steps may depend on upcoming leadership changes under the new administration.
