MICROSOFT FACES FTC ANTITRUST PROBE

The FTC has sent civil investigative demands to at least half a dozen companies competing with Microsoft, signaling the agency's growing interest in the software giant's market conduct. Microsoft has managed to escape the populist pressure to break up Big Tech that has targeted Google, Meta, and Amazon in recent years. However, newly obtained details suggest that reprieve may be ending. The investigation focuses on areas where Microsoft has expanded aggressively, including cloud services, AI tools, and workplace software. The company's recent launches—from its executive assistant AI to developer evaluation frameworks—demonstrate its broad push across enterprise markets. Microsoft's quantum computing advances and AI initiatives position it as a major player in emerging technologies, but these expansions may now attract regulatory scrutiny. The FTC's formal investigation represents a critical juncture for the company as antitrust enforcement against Big Tech remains a priority for federal regulators.