Antitrust tensions are heating up in the chipmaking industry NEW YORK -- Antitrust tensions are heating up in the chipmaking industry. Rivals have accused Wall Street darling [Nvidia](https://apnews.com/article/nvidia-artificial-intelligence-ai-gaming-1acc94ebbe6a59f728742ca20b3532cf) of abusing its market dominance in selling chips that power [artificial intelligence](https://apnews.com/hub/artificial-intelligence) — and the U.S. Justice Department is now investigating these complaints, technology news site The Information [reported](https://www.theinformation.com/articles/nvidia-faces-doj-antitrust-probe-over-complaints-from-rivals). According to the news outlet, which cited unnamed sources familiar with the discussions, Justice Department officials are looking into concerns Nvidia is potentially cornering the market and pressuring its customers to unfairly retain business. That includes allegations of Nvidia threatening to punish those who buy products from both the Santa Clara, California-based tech giant and its competitors. The Information also reported that U.S. officials had reached out to several Nvidia competitors about the complaints. The Justice Department declined to comment or provide further information when reached by The Associated Press on Friday. But a statement from Nvidia said the company “wins on merit” — and competes “based on decades of investment and innovation, scrupulously adhering to all laws." Without directly acknowledging details of The Information’s Thursday report, the company added that it is “happy to provide any information regulators need.” Nvidia has faced calls for an antitrust investigation from some Democratic lawmakers and progressive groups before. Earlier this week, 10 progressive advocacy groups — including Demand Progress Education Fund and Tech Oversight Project — penned a [letter](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/demandprogress/letters/Letter_-_Nvidia_DOJ_2024-07-30.pdf) to Assistant Attorney General Jonathan Kanter in support of an antitrust investigation into the chipmaker. “Nvidia is the world’s chip gatekeeper,” the groups wrote, arguing the company had “bullied its way into a prominent investment position” by leveraging scarce supply alongside tactics like blocking customers from doing business with competitors. “Such a company deserves the most aggressive scrutiny that the Department of Justice can bring to bear.” Nvidia’s has cemented itself as a poster child for the artificial intelligence boom — and in the process become one of the most valuable companies in the world. In June, the tech giant briefly reached a market value of [more than $3.3 trillion](https://apnews.com/article/nvidia-artificial-intelligence-stock-market-nasdaq-b1e79cf391f212a4714433afd140e341). Some of that market momentum has [stalled a little since](https://apnews.com/article/nvidia-chip-ai-apple-microsoft-51cc2b56e5871111907de6ad9cab59ae) — and any stock climbing to such heights is vulnerable to some investors selling shares to lock in profits. On Friday afternoon, shares for Nvidia were down 3%.

Antitrust tensions are heating up in the chipmaking industry NEW YORK -- Antitrust tensions are heating up in the chipmaking industry. Rivals have accused Wall Street darling [Nvidia](https://apnews.com/article/nvidia-artificial-intelligence-ai-gaming-1acc94ebbe6a59f728742ca20b3532cf) of abusing its market dominance in selling chips that power [artificial intelligence](https://apnews.com/hub/artificial-intelligence) — and the U.S. Justice Department is now investigating these complaints, technology news site The Information [reported](https://www.theinformation.com/articles/nvidia-faces-doj-antitrust-probe-over-complaints-from-rivals). According to the news outlet, which cited unnamed sources familiar with the discussions, Justice Department officials are looking into concerns Nvidia is potentially cornering the market and pressuring its customers to unfairly retain business. That includes allegations of Nvidia threatening to punish those who buy products from both the Santa Clara, California-based tech giant and its competitors. The Information also reported that U.S. officials had reached out to several Nvidia competitors about the complaints. The Justice Department declined to comment or provide further information when reached by The Associated Press on Friday. But a statement from Nvidia said the company “wins on merit” — and competes “based on decades of investment and innovation, scrupulously adhering to all laws." Without directly acknowledging details of The Information’s Thursday report, the company added that it is “happy to provide any information regulators need.” Nvidia has faced calls for an antitrust investigation from some Democratic lawmakers and progressive groups before. Earlier this week, 10 progressive advocacy groups — including Demand Progress Education Fund and Tech Oversight Project — penned a [letter](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/demandprogress/letters/Letter_-_Nvidia_DOJ_2024-07-30.pdf) to Assistant Attorney General Jonathan Kanter in support of an antitrust investigation into the chipmaker. “Nvidia is the world’s chip gatekeeper,” the groups wrote, arguing the company had “bullied its way into a prominent investment position” by leveraging scarce supply alongside tactics like blocking customers from doing business with competitors. “Such a company deserves the most aggressive scrutiny that the Department of Justice can bring to bear.” Nvidia’s has cemented itself as a poster child for the artificial intelligence boom — and in the process become one of the most valuable companies in the world. In June, the tech giant briefly reached a market value of [more than $3.3 trillion](https://apnews.com/article/nvidia-artificial-intelligence-stock-market-nasdaq-b1e79cf391f212a4714433afd140e341). Some of that market momentum has [stalled a little since](https://apnews.com/article/nvidia-chip-ai-apple-microsoft-51cc2b56e5871111907de6ad9cab59ae) — and any stock climbing to such heights is vulnerable to some investors selling shares to lock in profits. On Friday afternoon, shares for Nvidia were down 3%.

A week after reporting [another record quarter](https://qz.com/nvidia-second-quarter-earnings-expectations-ai-chips-1851634682), chipmaker Nvidia [NVDA](https://qz.com/quote/NVDA) has reportedly been subpoenaed by the U.S. Department of Justice over [complaints that it is violating antitrust laws](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-09-03/nvidia-gets-doj-subpoena-in-escalating-antitrust-investigation?srnd=homepage-americas&sref=P6Q0mxvj). The Justice Department has also subpoenaed other companies for evidence after initially sending questionnaires about Nvidia’s business practices, Bloomberg reported, citing unnamed people familiar with the matter. In June, the Justice Department and the Federal Trade Commission [reached a deal to carry out antitrust investigations](https://qz.com/microsoft-nvidia-openai-doj-ftc-investigation-antitrust-1851522748) into Nvidia and fellow artificial intelligence industry leaders Microsoft and OpenAI. U.S. officials are reportedly concerned by complaints that include how Nvidia has made it difficult for customers to switch chip providers. Nvidia and the Justice Department both declined to comment. The Department of Justice reached out to the chipmaker’s competitors, including Advanced Micro Devices and AI chip startups, to gather information, including [allegations of threatening customers](https://qz.com/nvidia-ai-chips-doj-antitrust-investigation-amd-startup-1851611727) who buy products from competitors, as well as Nvidia’s recent acquisitions of AI software startups, The Information [reported](https://www.theinformation.com/articles/nvidia-faces-doj-antitrust-probe-over-complaints-from-rivals?rc=5xvgzc) in August, citing unnamed people familiar with the matter. Some of Nvidia’s customers fear it will charge a higher price for its chips, or even restrict the number of chips it will sell, if a customer is also buying chips from competitors, customers’ employees told The Information. Justice Department officials were reportedly investigating whether the chipmaker had pressured some of its customers, including cloud providers that rent servers powered by Nvidia’s chips to developers, to buy more of the company’s technology. Meanwhile, Nvidia’s [shares have taken a hit](https://qz.com/nvidia-stock-fall-pre-market-trading-beat-q2-earnings-1851635149) since its second-quarter earnings report. The chipmaker’s shares were down around 9.5% at the market close on Tuesday, losing a record $279 billion. Its stock was down around 2% in after-hours trading. However, Nvidia’s shares are up around 124.2% so far this year.

According to [Bloomberg](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-09-03/nvidia-gets-doj-subpoena-in-escalating-antitrust-investigation) _(paywalled),_ Nvidia has [received a subpoena from the U.S. Department of Justice](https://www.reuters.com/legal/nvidia-hit-with-subpoena-us-justice-department-bloomberg-news-reports-2024-09-03/) as the regulator seeks evidence that the AI computing company violated antitrust laws. "The antitrust watchdog had previously delivered questionnaires to companies, and is now sending legally binding requests," notes Reuters. "Officials are concerned that the chipmaker is making it harder to switch to other suppliers and penalizes buyers that do not exclusively use its artificial intelligence chips." The development follows a [push by progressive groups last month](https://yro.slashdot.org/story/24/08/01/2139241/us-progressives-push-for-nvidia-antitrust-investigation), who criticized Nvidia's bundling of software and hardware, claiming it stifles innovation and locks in customers. In July, French antitrust regulators announced plans to charge the company for [alleged anti-competitive practices](https://slashdot.org/story/24/07/01/1528252/french-antitrust-regulators-preparing-nvidia-charges). _Developing..._

A day after Nvidia [NVDA](https://qz.com/quote/NVDA) was reported to have been subpoenaed by the U.S. Justice Department in its antitrust probe, the chipmaker says it actually has not be subpoenaed. “We have inquired with the U.S. Department of Justice and have not been subpoenaed,” an Nvidia spokesperson said in a statement shared with Quartz on Wednesday. “Nonetheless, we are happy to answer any questions regulators may have about our business.” The chipmaker was reported to have been [subpoenaed by U.S. officials](https://qz.com/nvidia-subpoena-us-justice-department-antitrust-probe-1851639016) on Tuesday by Bloomberg, which cited unnamed people familiar with the matter. The Justice Department had also reportedly subpoenaed other companies for evidence after complaints that the chipmaker is possibly violating antitrust laws. In June, the Justice Department and the Federal Trade Commission [reached a deal to carry out antitrust investigations](https://qz.com/microsoft-nvidia-openai-doj-ftc-investigation-antitrust-1851522748) into Nvidia and fellow artificial intelligence industry leaders Microsoft and OpenAI. U.S. officials are reportedly concerned over complaints that include how Nvidia has made it difficult for its customers to work with other chip providers. The Department of Justice reached out to the chipmaker’s competitors, including Advanced Micro Devices and AI chip startups, to gather information, including on [allegations of threatening customers](https://qz.com/nvidia-ai-chips-doj-antitrust-investigation-amd-startup-1851611727) who buy products from competitors, and on Nvidia’s recent acquisitions of AI software startups, The Information [reported](https://www.theinformation.com/articles/nvidia-faces-doj-antitrust-probe-over-complaints-from-rivals?rc=5xvgzc) in August, citing unnamed people familiar with the matter. “Nvidia wins on merit, as reflected in our benchmark results and value to customers, who can choose whatever solution is best for them,” an Nvidia spokesperson said in a previous statement shared with Quartz. Shares of the chipmaker fell in after-hours trading on Tuesday after the Bloomberg report. However, its shares were already down 9.5% at the market close, resulting in a market capitalization loss of $279 billion — the [largest-ever single-day drop in market value](https://www.reuters.com/markets/nvidia-chip-index-tumble-investors-pause-ai-rally-2024-09-03/) for a U.S. company, according to Reuters. Meanwhile, Nvidia chief executive Jensen Huang [lost an estimated $9.8 billion](https://qz.com/nvidia-stock-plunge-ceo-jensen-huang-lose-10-billion-1851639520) from the plunge, according to [Bloomberg](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-09-04/nvidia-ceo-jensen-huang-wealth-drops-by-10-billion-in-biggest-one-day-wipeout?sref=P6Q0mxvj).

Google has won a court challenge against a 1.49 billion euro European Union antitrust fine imposed five years ago that targeted its online advertising business LONDON -- Google won a court challenge on Wednesday against a 1.49 billion euro ($1.66 billion) European Union antitrust fine [imposed five years ago](https://apnews.com/article/701658e16440433f840e15869b101fa8) that targeted its online advertising business. The EU's General Court said it was throwing out the 2019 penalty imposed by the European Commission, which is the 27-nation bloc's top antitrust enforcer. “The General Court annuls the Commission’s decision in its entirety,” the court said in a press release. The commission's ruling applied to a narrow portion of Google’s ad business: ads that the U.S. tech giant sold next to Google search results on third-party websites. Regulators had accused Google of inserting exclusivity clauses in its contracts that barred these websites from running similarly placed ads sold by Google’s rivals. The commission said when it issued the penalty that Google's behavior resulted in advertisers and website owners having less choice and likely facing higher prices that would be passed on to consumers. But the General Court said the commission “committed errors” when it assessed those clauses. The commission failed to demonstrate that Google's contracts deterred innovation, harmed consumers or helped the company hold on to and strengthen its dominant position in national online search advertising markets, it said. The ruling can be appealed, but only on points of law, to the Court of Justice, the bloc's top court. The commission said in a brief statement that it “will carefully study the judgment and reflect on possible next steps.” Google said it changed its contracts in 2016 to remove the provisions in question, even before the commission imposed its decision. “We are pleased that the court has recognised errors in the original decision and annulled the fine,” Google said in a statement. "We will review the full decision closely.” The company's legal victory comes a week after it lost a final challenge against a separate EU antitrust case for its [shopping comparison service](https://apnews.com/article/google-european-union-antitrust-shopping-court-a281e4e4722efa816e929a52a9939d86) that also involved a hefty fine. They were among three antitrust penalties totaling about 8 billion euros that the commission punished Google with in the previous decade. The penalties marked the beginning of an era of intensifying scrutiny for Big Tech companies. Since then, Google has faced escalating pressure on both sides of the Atlantic over its digital ad business. It’s currently battling the Justice Department in a U.S. federal court over allegations that its dominance over the technology that controls the sale of billions of internet display ads constitutes an illegal monopoly. British competition regulators this month accused the company of abusing its dominance in the country’s digital ad market and giving preference to its own [services](https://apnews.com/article/google-britain-antitrust-digital-ads-investigation-ed3405e99c4bc2be1d1b769834a03e48). EU antitrust enforcers carrying out their own investigation [suggested last year](https://apnews.com/article/google-advertising-antitrust-tech-regulation-18fc5931abd30c71b85aa5d84671993a) that breaking up the company was the only way to satisfy competition concerns about its digital ad business.

**Check out Shift, the best new browser for managing all your apps. [Click HERE to Download Shift for Free](https://shift.com/?utm_source=sourceforge&utm_medium=unitad&utm_campaign=1024)** One window for everything you do on the internet. The first browser to integrate your web apps into one seamless experience. × 175417631 story [](//slashdot.org/index2.pl?fhfilter=eu) Posted by msmash on Wednesday November 06, 2024 @11:05AM from the tussle-continues dept. The European Commission has [opened a formal investigation into Corning](https://www.theverge.com/2024/11/6/24289450/corning-eu-antitrust-investigation-gorilla-glass) to determine whether it has broken antitrust rules with its dominant Gorilla Glass product. From a report: _Corning's Alkali-aluminosilicate glass is used to protect most of the top phones and tablets, with both Samsung and Apple using it extensively across their range of devices. The EU is concerned that Corning has used a variety of exclusivity contracts to exclude rival glass makers from the phone market. "It is very frustrating and costly experience to break a mobile phone screen. Therefore, strong competition in the production of the cover glass used to protect such devices is crucial to ensure low prices and high-quality glass," says outgoing EU competition chief Margrethe Vestager. "We are investigating if Corning, a major producer of this special glass, may have tried to exclude rival glass producers, thereby depriving consumers from cheaper and more break-resistant glass." The Commission's concerns are centered on the agreements with mobile device makers and companies that produce raw glass. The EU is looking into exclusive sourcing obligations that have required device makers to source "all of nearly all" of their glass from Corning, enabled rebates for exclusivity deals, and forced device makers to report on competitive offers and only accept them if Corning failed to price match._

European Union regulators hit Facebook parent Meta with a fine of nearly 800 million euros on Thursday for what it calls “abusive practices” involving its Marketplace online classified ads business LONDON -- European Union regulators issued their first antitrust fine to Facebook parent Meta on Thursday with a penalty of nearly 800 million euros for what they call “abusive practices” involving its Marketplace online classified ads business. The European Commission, the 27-nation bloc's executive branch and top antitrust enforcer, issued the 797.72 million euro ($841 million) penalty after its [long-running investigation](https://apnews.com/article/europe-technology-business-a44f2f093471ffa7ea8ff8e23f8282da) found that the company abused its dominant position and engaged in anti-competitive behavior. It’s the first time the EU has imposed a fine on the social media giant for breaches of the bloc’s competition law. Brussels has already slapped Big Tech rivals [Google](https://apnews.com/article/google-european-union-antitrust-shopping-court-a281e4e4722efa816e929a52a9939d86) and [Apple](https://apnews.com/article/apple-antitrust-fine-music-streaming-europe-439e3e8af91d844dee3dc8ff8012c68f) with billions in antitrust penalties. The commission had [accused Meta](https://apnews.com/article/technology-europe-business-european-union-f688beadd49ab55e326e163960675f19) of distorting competition by tying its online classified ad business to its social network, automatically exposing Facebook users to Marketplace “whether they want it or not" and shutting out competitors. It was also concerned that Meta was imposing unfair trading conditions with terms of service that authorized the company to use ad-related data — generated from competing classified ad platforms who advertise on Facebook or Instagram — to benefit Marketplace. Meta's practices gave it “advantages that other online classified ads service providers could not match,” Margrethe Vestager, the commission's executive vice-president in charge of competition policy, said in a press release “This is illegal under EU antitrust rules. Meta must now stop this behaviour.” Meta said in a statement that the decision fails to prove any “competitive harm” to rivals or consumers and “ignores the realities of the thriving European market for online classified listing services.” The company said the Commission's case ignores the fact that Facebook users can choose to ”engage with Marketplace, and many don't." It said online marketplaces, including global sites like eBay, Europe-wide platforms like Vinted, and national services are continuing to grow. Meta said it would comply with the Commission's order to end the offending conduct and not repeat it, but also vowed to appeal. The case dates back to 2021, when European Union regulators and their counterparts in Britain opened dual investigations into the classified business. The British regulator [wrapped up its investigation](https://apnews.com/article/amazon-meta-britain-antitrust-a63bf08544e67bd3e5eda5c4077f37c8) last year after Meta made concessions. The company continues to face EU scrutiny on other fronts, including investigations into whether Facebook and Instagram [child safety](https://apnews.com/article/facebook-instagram-meta-european-union-digital-services-act-61653e20757e75671092fb746e41ed4b) and [election integrity](https://apnews.com/article/meta-facebook-instagram-1fea720aeb5def876a6d415ed6136463) measures comply with the bloc’s digital rulebook. Meta has previously been hit with a series of [fines](https://apnews.com/article/meta-facebook-european-union-privacy-e40ab7bfa674b91bffb2813dce9b04d1) for breaches of the EU’s stringent privacy laws, including a [record 1.2 billion euro penalty](https://apnews.com/article/meta-facebook-data-privacy-fine-europe-9aa912200226c3d53aa293dca8968f84) last year.

The Federal Trade Commission has opened an investigation into whether Microsoft has violated antitrust law in multiple segments of its wide-ranging business, according to two people familiar with the matter, the latest salvo in a battle by the government to rein in the most powerful tech companies. The agency recently sent a long and detailed formal request for information to the company asking about its cloud computing, artificial intelligence and cybersecurity products, the people said. Of particular interest to the F.T.C. is the way that Microsoft bundles its cloud computing offerings with office and security products, they added, alongside the company’s growing power in the artificial intelligence space. The inquiry signals an intensifying focus on the power of the biggest tech companies over the way people consume information, communicate and shop online. Already, the F.T.C. has sued Amazon and Meta, accusing them of [anticompetitive behavior and stifling rivals.](https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/26/technology/ftc-amazon.html) The Justice Department has also [sued Google over its dominance](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/27/technology/google-antitrust-case-lawsuit.html) in advertising technology, and [Apple for making it difficult](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/21/technology/apple-doj-lawsuit-antitrust.html) for consumers to leave its tightly knit universe of devices and software. Microsoft, one of the most valuable companies in the world with a disparate business that includes its Windows operating software, social media platform LinkedIn and video game platform Xbox, had so far largely escaped the recent ramp up in antitrust scrutiny. Microsoft and the F.T.C. declined to comment. Bloomberg and The Financial Times first reported details of the investigation. _This is a developing story. Check back for updates._

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Antitrust enforcers with the Federal Trade Commission have opened a wide-ranging investigation into Microsoft’s business practices, starting off a big legal project that an incoming Trump administration must take up or abandon Antitrust enforcers with the Federal Trade Commission have opened a wide-ranging investigation into Microsoft's business practices, starting a big legal project that an incoming Trump administration must take up or abandon. The FTC is investigating Microsoft's cloud computing business and related product lines such as [artificial intelligence](https://apnews.com/hub/artificial-intelligence) and cybersecurity, according to a person who was not authorized to discuss details of the investigation publicly and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity. It's the latest action of more than three years of aggressive antitrust enforcement shepherded by FTC Chair Lina Khan, [who was elevated](https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-technology-business-government-and-politics-57d894c1f85a5d6d2ad4d7d05934e4f8) to lead the agency by President Joe Biden after he came into office pledging tougher scrutiny of monopolistic behavior by Big Tech companies. Khan's FTC already lost one antitrust fight with Microsoft last year when a federal [judge declined to block](https://apnews.com/article/microsoft-activision-xbox-playstation-call-of-duty-2322c62e67e6c1316b3ce043e66cff62) its $69 billion takeover of video game company Activision Blizzard. This case would go deeper into the core of Microsoft's business in a way the company hasn't experienced in the U.S. since its antitrust showdown with the Justice Department in the 1990s. Microsoft declined to comment. Bloomberg News first reported about the investigation last week. The case will only move forward if President-elect Donald Trump's choice to lead the FTC decides to continue the investigation and take it to court. Some analysts are expecting a lighter approach to the tech industry under Trump, though incoming Vice President JD Vance has praised Khan's work. A number of other tech-related antitrust matters are also in play, including the Department of Justice's [investigation into chipmaker Nvidia](https://apnews.com/article/nvidia-openai-microsoft-ai-antitrust-investigation-ftc-doj-0adc9a4a30d4b581a4f07894473ba548) and its push to break up Google — possibly [spinning off the Chrome web browser](https://apnews.com/article/google-android-chrome-antitrust-f4b73387d152a1c14c9df65bf0149a69) — after a federal judge ruled Google [maintained an illegal monopoly](https://www.theverge.com/2024/8/5/24155520/judge-rules-on-us-doj-v-google-antitrust-search-suit) for the last decade.

Antitrust enforcers with the Federal Trade Commission have opened a wide-ranging investigation into Microsoft’s business practices, starting off a big legal project that an incoming Trump administration must take up or abandon Antitrust enforcers with the Federal Trade Commission have opened a wide-ranging investigation into Microsoft's business practices, starting a big legal project that an incoming Trump administration must take up or abandon. The FTC is investigating Microsoft's cloud computing business and related product lines such as [artificial intelligence](https://apnews.com/hub/artificial-intelligence) and cybersecurity, according to a person who was not authorized to discuss details of the investigation publicly and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity. It's the latest action of more than three years of aggressive antitrust enforcement shepherded by FTC Chair Lina Khan, [who was elevated](https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-technology-business-government-and-politics-57d894c1f85a5d6d2ad4d7d05934e4f8) to lead the agency by President Joe Biden after he came into office pledging tougher scrutiny of monopolistic behavior by Big Tech companies. Khan's FTC already lost one antitrust fight with Microsoft last year when a federal [judge declined to block](https://apnews.com/article/microsoft-activision-xbox-playstation-call-of-duty-2322c62e67e6c1316b3ce043e66cff62) its $69 billion takeover of video game company Activision Blizzard. This case would go deeper into the core of Microsoft's business in a way the company hasn't experienced in the U.S. since its antitrust showdown with the Justice Department in the 1990s. Microsoft declined to comment. Bloomberg News first reported about the investigation last week. The case will only move forward if President-elect Donald Trump's choice to lead the FTC decides to continue the investigation and take it to court. Some analysts are expecting a lighter approach to the tech industry under Trump, though incoming Vice President JD Vance has praised Khan's work. A number of other tech-related antitrust matters are also in play, including the Department of Justice's [investigation into chipmaker Nvidia](https://apnews.com/article/nvidia-openai-microsoft-ai-antitrust-investigation-ftc-doj-0adc9a4a30d4b581a4f07894473ba548) and its push to break up Google — possibly [spinning off the Chrome web browser](https://apnews.com/article/google-android-chrome-antitrust-f4b73387d152a1c14c9df65bf0149a69) — after a federal judge ruled Google [maintained an illegal monopoly](https://www.theverge.com/2024/8/5/24155520/judge-rules-on-us-doj-v-google-antitrust-search-suit) for the last decade.

The Federal Trade Commission has launched a broad antitrust investigation into Microsoft's business practices, focusing on how the company [bundles its Office products with cybersecurity and cloud computing services](https://www.propublica.org/article/ftc-investigating-microsoft-antitrust-cloud-computing). The probe follows ProPublica reporting that revealed Microsoft offered free temporary upgrades of federal agencies' software licenses to [include advanced cybersecurity features](https://www.propublica.org/article/microsoft-white-house-offer-cybersecurity-biden-nadella), leading to long-term contracts once the trial period ended. The strategy helped Microsoft expand its government business while displacing competitors in both cybersecurity and cloud computing markets. The investigation includes scrutiny of Microsoft's identity management product Entra ID, formerly Azure Active Directory. The FTC has issued a civil investigative demand compelling the company to turn over information. The probe represents one of FTC Chair Lina Khan's final moves before leadership changes under the Biden administration. Microsoft confirmed receiving the demand but called it "broad, wide ranging, and requests things that are out of the realm of possibility to even be logical."

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China has announced a flurry of retaliatory measures against the U.S., including tariffs on imports of products such as coal, liquefied natural gas products and crude oil, as well as an antitrust probe into Google HONG KONG -- China on Tuesday announced a flurry of [retaliatory measures against the U.S.,](https://apnews.com/article/china-tariffs-us-trump-150fab3a44ec055845e47c82bde544c2) including tariffs on imports of products such as coal, liquefied natural gas products and crude oil, as well as an antitrust probe into Google. It also placed two other U.S. firms on an unreliable entity list that could bar them from investing in China. China and Google have had a long and entangled relationship going back to the early 2000s. Here's a look at Google's history in China and what the antitrust probe means for the company: Google launched Chinese-language search engine google.cn in 2006. It was censored to comply with Beijing’s laws, and in 2009, was a major search engine in China with about 36% market share. In 2010, in response to a cyberattack and an increasing [unwillingness to comply with censorship rules,](https://apnews.com/article/technology-business-f822d49550b8b2c9930eac9946283e36) Google said it was no longer willing to block search results and [shut down its Chinese search engine,](https://apnews.com/article/technology-business-china-social-media-bcce585da6268eaab599b1f3c85b74d4) redirecting users to its Hong Kong site instead. Beijing later blocked Google services under its Great Firewall censorship system, including its email service Gmail, as well as its Chrome browser and search engine, making it inaccessible to users in mainland China. China typically blocks most Western internet platforms, such as Google, as well as social media platforms including Facebook and Instagram. Although Google services are not accessible in China, the company still maintains a presence in the country, primarily focused on sales and engineering for its advertising business. It also has employees working on services including Google Cloud and customer solutions. Google maintains offices in the major Chinese cities Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen. China’s State Administration for Market Regulation said Tuesday it was investigating Google on suspicion of violating antitrust laws. While regulators did not provide further details, the announcement came minutes after the [10% tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump](https://apnews.com/article/trumps-tariffs-canada-mexico-china-taxes-910cf9a18fce654597a30dbaaa8d1576) came into effect. As there are few details on what exactly Google is being investigated for, the immediate impact on Google operations is unclear, although its current status is unlikely to be affected by the probe, which could takes months. Google did not immediately comment on the investigation. Some experts believe that the antitrust investigation is likely to center around Google’s Android operating system for smartphones and used as a bargaining chip in the U.S.-China trade war. John Gong, a professor of economics at the University of International Business and Economics, said that the investigation could be related to Google’s dominance in the Android business, as virtually all smartphone brands apart from Apple and Huawei would have to pay licensing fees to Google to use the Android system on their devices. “Now, this time, Google is put on the chopping board. But I think it’s still an investigation, right? It hasn’t reached a decision yet,” said Gong, adding, "I think it’s very much negotiable.” Huawei developed its own [HarmonyOS operating system](https://apnews.com/article/operating-systems-smartphones-technology-business-412ee1e62457e54a742f5ab53d25e4a4) after it was placed on the U.S. entity list — foreign individuals, companies and organizations deemed a national security concern — in 2019, which prevented it from doing business with U.S. firms including Google. Google has been accused of [violating antitrust law](https://apnews.com/article/google-european-union-antitrust-shopping-court-a281e4e4722efa816e929a52a9939d86) in other countries, including those in the European Union, South Korea, Russia, India and Turkey, for allegedly abusing its market dominance. \_\_\_ Associated Press writer Ken Moritsugu in Beijing contributed to this report.

[Apple](https://www.fastcompany.com/91294577/what-the-break-up-of-google-could-mean-for-apple-and-other-tech-companies) has successfully blocked its opponents in [India](https://www.fastcompany.com/91281873/google-looking-this-location-first-retail-stores-outside-u-s), Tinder-owner Match and a group of startups, from accessing its commercially sensitive information which was part of [antitrust](https://www.fastcompany.com/91139164/india-antitrust-law-big-tech-apple-google-meta-amazon) findings against the U.S. firm, a confidential order shows. An investigation by the Competition Commission of India (CCI) last year found Apple exploited its dominant position in the market for app stores on its iOS operating system to the detriment of app developers, users and other payment processors. Apple has denied wrongdoing and said it is a small player in India where phones using Google’s operating system are dominant. The investigation process has concluded but CCI’s senior members are yet to review the findings and pass a final ruling, which could force Apple to pay fines and even change its practices if the company is confirmed to have indulged in wrongdoing. Apple’s opposing parties in the case—Match and startup group Alliance of Digital India Foundation (ADIF)—asked the CCI to allow access to certain confidential information which include developer payouts and details of total billings, but were redacted when investigation reports were shared with parties. Match argued Apple had been “claiming excessive and unwarranted redactions in its submissions” across the world “to hinder effective scrutiny of its practices”, but the CCI did not agree and ruled in favour of Apple, according to a 13-page confidential order issued on March 3 and seen by Reuters. The order noted Apple’s comments, saying “the very fact that Match is involved in similar antitrust proceedings” with the company elsewhere will cause Apple harm if its commercially sensitive information is provided to Match. Expand to continue reading ↓

European Union regulators say they’ll seek feedback on Microsoft’s latest proposed changes to Teams to ease competition concerns BRUSSELS -- European Union regulators will seek public comment on proposed changes from Microsoft for Teams, signaling the U.S. company may be nearing the end of a long-running antitrust case targeting its messaging and videoconferencing app. Microsoft had previously offered some modifications including [unbundling Teams](https://apnews.com/article/microsoft-office-teams-slack-antitrust-europe-b6c2a18f5420ddd553a4cb6ab79f838f) from its Office software suite in an attempt to head off the antitrust probe shortly after it [was opened by the EU two years ago](https://apnews.com/article/eu-microsoft-antitrust-investigation-teams-office-d7a6f5727387bae9b427d560218be84f). But those proposals didn't satisfy the European Commission, the 27-nation bloc’s top competition enforcer, which [accused Microsoft](https://apnews.com/article/microsoft-teams-eu-european-union-antitrust-26d11ada00f504d537d1b054dd6f6bbf) last year of potentially abusive behavior. The Commission said Friday that it will now seek feedback on fresh commitments Microsoft has made to resolve the competition worries. That includes making the Office 365 and Microsoft 365 software packages available at a discount without Teams, and letting customers switch between packages without Teams. The company is also promising to make it easier for rival software to work with Teams and for users to move their data from Teams to to competing products. The commission said in a press release that it “invites all interested parties to submit their views" on Microsoft's proposals. If everyone is satisfied, they would become legally binding. The Redmond, Wash.-based company is “hopeful” the Commission will “in the following months adopt a final decision closing its investigation," Microsoft s vice president in charge of European government affairs, Nanna-Louise Linde, said in a blog post. Microsoft's commitments would be in force for up to 10 years, the Commission said. The company could incur fines worth up to 10% of its annual global revenues — which could run into tens of billions of euros — if it fails to honor them The Teams investigation dates back to 2020, when Slack Technologies, which makes popular workplace messaging software, filed a [complaint](https://slack.com/intl/en-gb/blog/news/slack-files-eu-competition-complaint-against-microsoft). Slack, owned by business software maker Salesforce, alleged that Microsoft was abusing its market dominance to eliminate competition — in violation of EU laws — by illegally combining Teams with its Office suite, which includes Word, Excel and Outlook. Salesforce President Sabastian Niles said the latest announcement “affirms that Microsoft’s anticompetitive practices with Teams have harmed competition and require a binding, enforceable, and effective remedy. We will carefully scrutinize Microsoft’s proposed commitments.” \_\_\_ AP Business Writer Kelvin Chan contributed from London.