Accelerated investigation into Microsoft's cloud and AI monopoly

"The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is accelerating its investigation into Microsoft. The regulator wants to know whether the company is illegally monopolizing large parts of the enterprise computing market with cloud software and AI services, including Copilot. Competitors have recently received information requests with questions about Microsoft's licensing and business practices. In recent weeks, the FTC has sent requests to companies that compete with Microsoft in business software and cloud computing. The requests contain a series of questions about Microsoft's licensing and other business practices."

"In its requests, the FTC seeks evidence that Microsoft makes it more difficult for customers to use Windows, Office, and other products with competing cloud services. The regulator is also seeking information on how Microsoft bundles artificial intelligence, security, and identity software in Windows and Office. Microsoft has already made some changes in response to complaints from customers and competitors about its licensing practices. The company relaxed its policy somewhat, mainly to make it easier for smaller European cloud providers to host Microsoft products."

"Microsoft argues that some products are not fully interoperable with rival clouds because the underlying technology for certain functions differs. In addition, a series of malicious hacks has put increasing pressure on Microsoft to offer more robust security features in core products. According to earlier reports, the FTC launched its investigation into Microsoft in November 2024. Among other things, the regulator wants to know whether Microsoft's dominance in cloud services exceeds the limits of fair competition."

The US Federal Trade Commission has accelerated an investigation into Microsoft to determine whether the company unlawfully monopolizes enterprise computing via cloud software and AI services such as Copilot. The FTC sent information requests to multiple competitors asking about Microsoft’s licensing and business practices, including whether Microsoft makes it harder for customers to use Windows, Office, and other products with rival cloud services and whether the company bundles AI, security, and identity features. Microsoft relaxed some licensing rules for smaller European cloud providers and signed an agreement with CISPE. Microsoft cites technical interoperability differences and increased security demands after hacks. The probe began in November 2024 and no final decisions have been made.

Read at Techzine Global