It is reported that the FTC plans to investigate Microsoft's anti-competitive behavior in the cloud computing business
According to informed sources, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is preparing to investigate anti-competitive behavior in Microsoft's cloud computing business. Sources say the agency is looking into allegations that the software giant may be abusing its market power in the productivity software sector by implementing punitive licensing terms to prevent customers from transferring their data from Azure cloud services to other competing platforms. Reports indicate that the strategies under review include significantly increasing subscription fees for departing users, charging high exit fees, and allegedly making its Office 365 products incompatible with competitors' clouds. The FTC declined to comment, and Microsoft did not immediately respond to requests for comment
According to informed sources, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is preparing to investigate anti-competitive behavior in Microsoft's (MSFT.US) cloud computing business.
Sources say that the agency is looking into allegations that the software giant may be abusing its market power in the productivity software sector by implementing punitive licensing terms to prevent customers from transferring their data from Azure cloud services to other competing platforms.
Reports indicate that the strategies under review include significantly increasing subscription fees for departing users, charging high exit fees, and allegedly making its Office 365 products incompatible with competitors' clouds.
The FTC declined to comment, and Microsoft did not immediately respond to a request for comment