Lina Khan's Antitrust Crusade: Microsoft's Cloud Under Scrutiny

As the sun sets on her tenure, Lina Khan, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) Chair, is leaving no stone unturned in her quest to tackle Big Tech's dominance. Her latest target? Microsoft's cloud computing empire.

The FTC is reportedly investigating Microsoft's cloud division, Azure, for potential anti-competitive practices. The probe centers around restrictive licensing terms, sharp fee increases for customers seeking to switch providers, high exit charges, and reduced compatibility of Office 365 with competitor cloud services.



Microsoft's cloud strategy has propelled it to the second-largest market share, behind Amazon Web Services (AWS) and ahead of Google Cloud. However, this success has drawn the scrutiny of regulators and competitors alike.



The investigation reflects Khan's broader push to address Big Tech's influence in sectors like cloud services. If found guilty of anti-competitive practices, Microsoft could face regulatory measures such as mandating interoperability, limiting restrictive licensing terms, enforcing transparency, and preventing bundling abuses.

Analysts and investors should closely monitor this investigation, as it could impact Microsoft's market position and pricing strategy. While Microsoft's strong brand and customer base may help it navigate these challenges, the potential for increased competition and regulatory oversight could make it harder for the company to maintain its current approach.

In this dynamic landscape, investors should consider diversifying their portfolios, combining growth and value stocks, and favoring companies with robust management and enduring business models. As the tech sector continues to evolve, careful risk management, informed market predictions, and thoughtful asset allocation will be crucial for investors seeking consistent growth and stability.