The US government targets Microsoft, cooperation with OpenAI under investigation for possible monopoly

The US FTC is stepping up its antitrust investigation against Microsoft, with the OpenAI collaboration becoming a key focus. Microsoft's dominant position in the AI market may face stricter regulation. (Background: Bridgewater Dalio warns of a major crisis in US bonds, Trump meets with top 100 CEOs: the economy will not decline, raising tariffs will benefit the US) (Additional context: Greenland elections reveal victory for the Independent Democratic Party! Voters criticize Trump: Taiwan also does not want to be the 51st state of the US) The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has recently expanded its antitrust investigation into Microsoft, focusing on its cloud computing, software licensing models, and collaboration with OpenAI. Regulatory agencies are concerned whether Microsoft is strengthening its market dominance through strategic investments and licensing terms, thereby squeezing out competition. Microsoft under scrutiny by US regulatory agencies, antitrust concerns escalating The US FTC has been investigating Microsoft's market behavior since the end of last year, and has recently expanded its scope. According to Bloomberg, the FTC has held meetings with multiple companies and organizations to gather information related to Microsoft, focusing on several core issues: Cloud market monopoly concerns: Whether Microsoft is preventing enterprise customers from switching from Azure to competitors' cloud services like AWS or Google Cloud through unfair licensing terms. Impact of AI technology competition: Whether Microsoft's reduction in internal AI research funding and reliance on OpenAI could affect competition in the AI market. Predicament of enterprise customers: Some enterprises have reflected that Microsoft's software licensing model is not transparent enough, and even contains punitive terms, making it difficult for customers to choose other suppliers. The FTC has currently requested detailed information from Microsoft on data centers and to explain the upcoming licensing rule adjustments, as regulatory agencies attempt to clarify whether Microsoft is strengthening its monopoly position through market influence. OpenAI collaboration model becomes a key investigation point Since 2019, Microsoft has invested over $13 billion in OpenAI, and the collaboration has been deeply integrated, with OpenAI's technology becoming the core of Microsoft's AI products (such as Copilot). However, recent changes have occurred in the collaboration model, where although Microsoft still has the right of first refusal with OpenAI, OpenAI can now seek other cloud providers such as Google or Amazon. This type of collaboration has raised concerns among regulatory agencies, with the FTC worrying whether Microsoft is controlling OpenAI through funding and technology to further monopolize the AI market and suppress the development of other competitors. Additionally, the FTC is following Microsoft's internal AI research direction. Observers have noted that Microsoft has recently downsized its internal AI teams and redirected more resources towards OpenAI, raising questions about the impact on the diversified development of AI technology, pending further investigation. Varying international regulatory attitudes, US regulatory pressure may increase The collaboration between Microsoft and OpenAI has caught the attention of international regulatory bodies. The UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) previously completed a review, determining that the collaboration does not constitute a formal merger and decided not to intervene further. However, the US FTC evidently holds a different view and plans to conduct a thorough investigation into Microsoft's market influence. In the EU, formal investigations have not yet been launched, but there is a high level of concern regarding large investments in the AI industry, and it is not ruled out that regulatory actions similar to those in the US may follow. Related reports: Greenland elections reveal victory for the Independent Democratic Party! Voters criticize Trump: Taiwan also does not want to be the 51st state of the US Bridgewater Dalio warns of a major crisis in US bonds, Trump meets with top 100 CEOs: the economy will not decline, raising tariffs will benefit the US Senator Lummis reintroduces bill to allow the US to hold 1 million BTC: to ensure US financial leadership position 'US Government Eyes Microsoft, Investigates Whether OpenAI Collaboration Involves Monopoly' was first published on BlockTempo, the most influential blockchain news media on the Block.