Microsoft avoids antitrust fits… for the second
The Biden and even the Trump administrations have come down onerous on Large Tech at instances, launching or persevering with antitrust lawsuits towards Amazon, Apple, Google, and Meta. Microsoft has to this point prevented one, excluding an FTC lawsuit towards the corporate’s buy of Activision Blizzard, which the FTC misplaced. Even when the company had gained, nonetheless, the go well with wouldn’t have affected the core of Microsoft’s enterprise in the best way prosecutions might damage the opposite huge tech corporations.
Microsoft has been anxious a couple of federal antitrust lawsuit as a result of in late November 2024, the FTC launched a broad investigation into the corporate’s AI, cloud computing, safety, and Groups merchandise. On the coronary heart of the probe was the best way Microsoft might need violated antitrust legal guidelines by bundling cloud computing merchandise and Groups with its workplace and safety merchandise. The investigation was additionally wanting into whether or not the corporate was gaining an excessive amount of market dominance in AI.
Now, greater than a 12 months later, there hasn’t been a peep about it. That doubtless means the investigation has foundered. The corporate seems to be within the clear for now. Trump continuously makes use of the facility of the federal authorities to assault and prosecute his enemies. If he turns towards Microsoft, don’t be shocked if the investigation abruptly takes on steam in 2026.
