FTC Launches Broad Antitrust Investigation into Microsoft’s Cloud and AI Business

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission has initiated a comprehensive antitrust investigation into Microsoft, focusing on its cloud computing, software licensing, and artificial intelligence operations. Reports indicate that regulators are examining whether the company’s practices, particularly the bundling of its productivity software with Azure cloud services, unfairly stifle competition. This move follows years of complaints from rivals and ongoing scrutiny by international regulators. Microsoft has expressed its intention to work with the agency, asserting that its business models are designed to provide value and choice to customers in a rapidly evolving market. Analysts suggest the investigation marks a significant escalation in the federal government’s efforts to regulate the influence of major technology firms. No formal charges have been filed as the agency continues its preliminary evidence collection.