The Federal Trade Commission has launched an in-depth antitrust investigation into Microsoftwith the world’s richest man, Elon Musk, calling for FTC chairmanship Lina Khanand suggests the investigation may be short-lived under the new Trump administration.
The agency submitted a detailed request for information of several hundred pages examining Microsoft’s cloud computing, artificial intelligence and cybersecurity products. Bloomberg was the first to report the investigation, which targets the company’s complex business practices and market dominance.
The investigation focuses on Microsoft’s bundling of cloud services with office and security tools, potentially creating unfair advantages in the marketplace. Competitors have complained that the company’s licensing terms and software make it difficult to compete effectively.
Microsoft’s vast technology portfolio – including its Azure cloud platform, AI technologies like Copilot and numerous cybersecurity services – is under scrutiny. The investigation echoes previous antitrust challenges, reminiscent of the Justice Department’s landmark lawsuit in the late 1990s.
The Trump administration could bring changes to the tech industry landscape, including a new FTC chairman.
The expected Trump administration could significantly change the regulatory landscape. In contrast to the current administration’s aggressive approach to big tech, the new president is expected to appoint a more business-friendly FTC chairman, which could blunt the impact of the investigation.
The company has largely avoided the intense antitrust scrutiny faced by other tech giants like Amazon, Apple, Meta and Google. However, this investigation reopens questions about Microsoft’s market power and competitive practices.
Elon Musk, supporter of the president-elect Donald Trumppublicly supported Republican criticism of Khan, saying “She will soon be fired” in response to a House Oversight Committee report accusing her of abusing regulatory authority.
Sources familiar with the matter reveal that the FTC has been conducting informal discussions with Microsoft’s business partners and competitors for more than a year. The timing of the investigation is crucial because it coincides with Khan’s planned departure when President-elect Donald J. Trump takes office in January.
Microsoft declined to comment on the ongoing investigation. The FTC’s action represents a final attempt by Khan to challenge corporate consolidation ahead of a likely change in the agency’s leadership and regulatory approach. The changing political environment suggests that Microsoft may soon face a more lenient regulatory environment.