The Federal Trade Commission is preparing to launch an investigation into anti-competitive practices at Microsoft’s cloud computing business, as the US regulator continues to pursue Big Tech in the final weeks of Joe Biden’s presidency.

The investigation forms part of the Biden administration's broader campaign to reign in the anti-competitive practices of large technology firms. Microsoft has remained silent, but the result could have a major strategic impact on its structure and the firm's place in the cloud economy.

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission is preparing to investigate Microsoft’s cloud computing business, according to multiple reports Thursday.

The Financial Times, referencing unnamed “people with direct knowledge of the matter,” reported that the FTC is examining allegations that Microsoft is abusing its market power by imposing punitive licensing terms to prevent customers from moving their data from Azure to other platforms.

The Federal Trade Commission has launched an investigation into Microsoft's cloud computing practices, scrutinizing unfair business methods.

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission is preparing to launch an investigation into anti-competitive practices at Microsoft's cloud computing business, sources familiar with the matter told Reuters on Thursday.

The agency’s antitrust investigation continues Biden administration scrutiny of Big Tech as the industry waits to discover what policies Donald Trump adopts.