FTC Launches Comprehensive Antitrust Investigation into Microsoft
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has initiated a broad antitrust investigation into Microsoft, targeting the tech giant’s business practices. The agency has formally requested information from Microsoft as part of its inquiry, according to a source familiar with the matter.
Neither Microsoft nor the FTC has commented on the investigation, which was first reported by Bloomberg.
Microsoft’s business operations span multiple sectors, from cloud computing and enterprise software to gaming and artificial intelligence. The company has become a dominant force in the AI space, driven by its investment in OpenAI and its proprietary AI system, Copilot.
This is not Microsoft’s first encounter with antitrust concerns. Earlier this year, European regulators considered probing the company’s partnership with OpenAI amid broader concerns about competition in AI, though that investigation did not proceed.
In October 2023, Microsoft closed its $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard, despite FTC objections. The agency had argued the deal could create a monopoly in video game publishing, a claim Microsoft denied.
Shifting FTC Leadership and Implications for Big Tech
The investigation comes as President-elect Donald Trump prepares to re-enter the White House. While Trump has not announced his pick to lead the FTC, his administration is expected to replace current FTC Chair Lina Khan, potentially reshaping the agency’s approach to antitrust enforcement.
Trump’s return has also raised questions about the future of ongoing antitrust cases against other tech giants, including Apple and Amazon. Google awaits a decision in a high-profile case where the U.S. government has called for the company to divest its Chrome browser, following a ruling that its search business operates as a monopoly.
Under Khan’s leadership, the FTC has aggressively pursued Big Tech, blocking multiple mergers and acquisitions. However, the agency has faced setbacks, including its failure to block Meta’s acquisition of virtual reality startup Within Unlimited and its ongoing inability to challenge Meta’s purchases of Instagram and WhatsApp successfully.
The FTC’s new investigation into Microsoft signals another significant chapter in the agency’s scrutiny of major technology companies as the landscape of antitrust enforcement continues to evolve.
