The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has reportedly ramped its investigation into Microsoft in recent weeks over concerns it may be illegally monopolising the enterprise computing market, particularly through its cloud software and AI offerings.
Bloomberg reported that the FTC issued civil investigative demands to multiple competing cloud and business software companies over Microsoft’s conduct in those areas.
It added that the requests sent to at least six competitors seek information about Microsoft’s licencing rules, cloud interoperability limitations and product bundling practices. It is determining whether those measures make it difficult or more expensive for customers to use the tech giant’s Windows, Office and other products on rival cloud platforms.
FTC is also said to seeking information about how Microsoft is bundling AI, security, and identity tools into products like Windows and Office.
Microsoft has apparently made some policy changes amid prior complaints about its licensing practices, especially to support smaller European cloud providers using its products.
Microsoft previously acknowledged some interoperability issues stem from underlying technical differences between companies. Security concerns following a series of cyberattacks have also influenced Microsoft’s product strategy.
No decisions have been made and stated FTC investigations do not always result in enforcement actions, added Bloomberg.
The investigation, launched in the final phase of the Biden administration under former FTC Chair Lina Khan, is now overseen by current chair Andrew N. Ferguson.
A 2024 FTC demand compelled Microsoft to provide extensive data on its AI operations dating back to 2016, including model training costs, data centre capacity challenges and product licensing, according to Bloomberg.
Roughly one‑third of the FTC’s questions related specifically to AI, with concerns about whether Microsoft’s investment in OpenAI led it to discontinue its own competing AI projects.
The same year, Microsoft opted out as an observer on OpenAI’s board of directors. The big tech company assumed the non-voting board seat in November 2023 following a chaotic period which included the board firing and then re-hiring CEO Sam Altman within a matter of days.
In 2025, the FTC raised antitrust concerns over Microsoft’s $13 billion investment in OpenAI, warning the tie-up could provide the tech giant with an unfair advantage in the AI market.
