This move follows the FTC’s legal challenge against Microsoft’s $75 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard, which faced antitrust concerns around Microsoft’s cloud gaming business. While a federal court allowed the acquisition to proceed, the FTC’s appeal highlights its commitment to maintaining oversight of Big Tech’s market reach.

The agency’s antitrust investigation continues Biden administration scrutiny of Big Tech as the industry waits to discover what policies Donald Trump adopts.

The Federal Trade Commission is preparing to launch an investigation into anti-competitive practices at Microsoft’s cloud computing business, as the US regulator continues to pursue Big Tech in the final weeks of Joe Biden’s presidency.

The Financial Times first reported the FTC was focusing on the Redmond-based tech giant’s productivity software, Microsoft 365, following up on allegations that the company effectively locked customers into Microsoft’s Azure cloud service.

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission is preparing to launch an investigation into anti-competitive practices at Microsoft's cloud computing business, the Financial Times reported on Thursday, citing people with direct knowledge of the matter.

The Federal Trade Commission, led by Lina Khan, had previously sought public feedback on Microsoft's cloud computing business.

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission is preparing to launch an investigation into anti-competitive practices at Microsoft's cloud computing business, sources familiar with the matter told Reuters on Thursday.

The regulator is looking into claims that Microsoft may be using its market power in productivity software to impose restrictive licensing terms.