The American FTC sent an extensive questionnaire to Microsoft. The research focuses on bundling cloud, security and AI in Azure.

Is Microsoft facing an antitrust investigation? According to various American news media, it appears to be so. The Federal Trade Commission has submitted a “formal request for information” to Microsoft. This is often the first step to a more comprehensive investigation.

The subject of the investigation would be how Microsoft bundles cloud computing offerings with the Office suite and security products. Microsoft has also been discredited several times in the European Union for this. The FTC is also closely monitoring Microsoft’s steep rise in the AI ​​world.

Personal reasons

The American government has its own personal reasons for looking at Microsoft with special attention. Several government agencies are Microsoft customers. The fact that Microsoft was the key figure in a Chinese government espionage campaign last year will not help the company in this investigation.

Microsoft received damning reports. The company says it has learned its lesson and security is now Microsoft’s top priority.

Back in time

If an investigation were to occur, Microsoft would not be up to the test. In the early 2000s, Microsoft was criticized for its monopoly on Windows and Internet Explorer. To this day, the lawsuit is considered a pioneer in antitrust proceedings. Since then, the US government has left Microsoft alone and attention has shifted to other tech giants such as Apple, Amazon, Meta and most recently Google.

The change of power in the White House also means new appointments in the relevant committees. But Microsoft doesn’t seem to have to expect a pardon from the new government. The only thing that is clear about Trump’s appointments is that the hunt for Big Tech appears to be on.