Federal Trade Commission expands probe into Microsoft licensing and AI bundling
The FTC is escalating its probe into Microsoft by questioning rivals about cloud and AI practices. The agency is evaluating if licensing terms limit competition.
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The US 
US Federal Trade Commission has sent civil investigative requests to at least half a dozen companies that are competitors of Microsoft Corporation , escalating a regulatory probe into the company’s software practices. The requests, issued recently, seek detailed information regarding the licensing and bundling of artificial intelligence, security, and identity software, as well as other business practices. This move represents a near-term intensification of an investigation that began in 2024 under then-Chair Lina Khan, focusing on core practices that influence competition within the enterprise software sector and the cloud computing sector.
US Federal Trade Commission has sent civil investigative requests to at least half a dozen companies that are competitors of Microsoft Corporation , escalating a regulatory probe into the company’s software practices. The requests, issued recently, seek detailed information regarding the licensing and bundling of artificial intelligence, security, and identity software, as well as other business practices. This move represents a near-term intensification of an investigation that began in 2024 under then-Chair Lina Khan, focusing on core practices that influence competition within the enterprise software sector and the cloud computing sector.
