The U.S. FTC has opened a broad antitrust investigation into Microsoft, focusing on cloud computing, licensing practices, and AI products, amid allegations of market abuse.
The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has launched a comprehensive antitrust investigation into Microsoft, focusing on its software licensing and cloud computing operations.
The probe, approved by FTC Chair Lina Khan before her expected departure in January, comes amidst uncertainty over enforcement priorities under the incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump.
The FTC is investigating allegations that Microsoft uses restrictive licensing terms to prevent customers from transferring data from its Azure cloud service to competing platforms. The agency is also examining Microsoft's practices in cybersecurity and artificial intelligence products.
Competitors have accused the company of locking customers into its Azure platform, with groups like NetChoice criticising its licensing policies and AI integrations.
Last year, Google filed a complaint with the European Commission, claiming Microsoft charged a 400% markup for running Windows Server on rival cloud platforms and provided delayed security updates. Similar concerns have been raised by other industry players, including Amazon and Google, who compete with Microsoft in cloud computing.
Microsoft, which declined to comment, has generally avoided the heightened scrutiny faced by other Big Tech firms like Google, Apple, Meta, and Amazon.
However, the FTC has already examined Microsoft's activities in artificial intelligence and its $650 million deal with Inflection AI.
While some expect Trump’s administration to adopt a more lenient approach towards Big Tech, past actions, including lawsuits against Google and Meta, indicate that ongoing investigations may continue regardless of leadership changes.
Türkiye’s foreign minister has renewed calls for the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) to disarm and disband, during talks with...
A Russian strike on a farm warehouse in Pryluky, north-central Ukraine, has killed at least three people, local police said. Meanwhile, EU foreign ...
ICT Week Uzbekistan 2026 will bring startups, investors and global technology companies to Tashkent from 22 to 25 September, with venture capital, ...
Maritime trackers received new reports of an attack on a ship in the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday, according to the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), adding to concerns about energy supplies after Saudi Arabia shut down a vital oil pipeline on Saturday.
A Kyiv-Warsaw train was struck near the Polish border, Ukraine's state railway firm said on Sunday. No passengers were injured. Ukrainian Railways said that the country's railways were facing systematic attacks for a second day and warned of widespread delays.
U.S. Central Command said 101 commercial vessels have been redirected in the Strait of Hormuz, while oil prices rose more than three per cent amid fresh regional attacks and supply concerns.
Swedes vote in an election on Sunday (13 September) that could see the far-right enter government for the first time if the country's right-wing parties can form a majority.
A Russian strike on a farm warehouse in Pryluky, north-central Ukraine, has killed at least three people, local police said. Meanwhile, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said an attack on a train near the Polish border was an attempt to intimidate Ukraine's allies.
Volkswagen’s supervisory board has approved a major overhaul aimed at cutting 100,000 jobs by 2030 as the German carmaker battles weaker sales, falling profits and intensifying global competition.
Chinese Premier Li Qiang has called on American companies to expand their presence in China and pledged that Beijing would address their "reasonable concerns," as China looks to stabilise trade ties with Washington ahead of President Xi Jinping's planned visit to the U.S. later this month
Apple is entering a new era as Tim Cook steps down as chief executive after 15 years at the helm, handing the technology giant's leadership to longtime executive John Ternus.
Volkswagen is heading towards a decisive showdown with labour representatives as Germany's largest carmaker weighs sweeping restructuring measures that could lead to factory closures and tens of thousands of job losses.
Online fast-fashion retailer Shein is seeking to raise up to $1.77 billion in a Hong Kong IPO after its valuation fell around 70 per cent from its private-market peak four years ago.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment