Microsoft is facing a major FTC investigation into its user lockout of Azure productivity software
- Microsoft accused of anti-competitive business practices in the cloud market
- The FTC is reportedly planning to launch an investigation into the Azure activities
- The regulatory scrutiny also affects Amazon, Apple and Google
Microsoft could be the subject of another investigation into anti-competitive business practices.
A report from the Financial times claims that the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is reportedly preparing to investigate Microsoft over its Azure cloud computing business, which it accuses of using restrictive licensing agreements to maintain its dominant position in the market.
The company has also been accused of adjusting prices to make it expensive for customers to leave in an effort to maintain high volumes.
Microsoft is facing an anti-competitive investigation
Increased subscription fees for customers looking to leave, along with expensive exit and termination fees, could have been introduced to make customers think twice about the financial implications of switching providers.
Another anti-competitive practice that Microsoft could be engaging in is making native systems, such as Office 365, incompatible with other companies’ alternatives, making it technically difficult to migrate.
The FTC’s investigation follows a recent decision to investigate the business practices of major cloud providers, and it’s not the first time Microsoft has come under scrutiny. Over the past two years, the company has faced similar accusations of trapping customers in its products within the European Union.
Google also has a role to play in the increased scrutiny of Microsoft. Last summer, the company filed a letter with the FTC accusing it of exploiting software like Windows Server and Office to increase its Azure dominance.
However, Microsoft is not the only company to face such accusations. Many of its biggest rivals, including Amazon, Google and just this week, Apple, have all been accused of anti-competitive business practices in one way or another – mostly involving cloud subscriptions.
TechRadar Pro asked Microsoft to comment on the allegations, but we did not immediately receive a response.
