The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has a new sheriff in town, Andrew Ferguson, but don’t expect a dramatic plot twist. Ferguson, stepping into the shoes of his predecessor Lina Khan, seems poised to carry forward her antitrust crusade against Big Tech, with Microsoft squarely in the crosshairs. The more things change, the more they stay the same, right?
Let’s rewind. Lina Khan, the FTC chair under the Biden administration, made headlines for her aggressive stance on antitrust enforcement. She took on tech giants like Amazon, Meta, and Google, and in her final act, launched a sweeping investigation into Microsoft. The focus? Allegations of market dominance abuse in cloud computing, AI partnerships, and software licensing practices. Khan’s tenure was marked by a relentless pursuit of “big,” often to the chagrin of Silicon Valley and beyond.
Enter Andrew Ferguson, who was appointed by President Trump. Despite the change in administration, Ferguson has signaled a commitment to “vigorous antitrust enforcement,” echoing Khan’s rhetoric. It’s almost as if the FTC is playing a game of musical chairs, where the tune remains the same regardless of who’s sitting.
Microsoft, for its part, has responded with a mix of cooperation and caution. The company has stated it is “working cooperatively with the agency,” a diplomatic way of saying, “We’re not thrilled, but we’ll play along”. The investigation delves into Microsoft’s AI operations, including its partnership with OpenAI, and raises questions about whether the tech giant’s business practices stifle competition.
Historically, antitrust enforcement in the U.S. has been a pendulum, swinging between periods of aggressive intervention and laissez-faire attitudes. The FTC’s current trajectory suggests we’re in a phase of heightened scrutiny, particularly for Big Tech. But one can’t help but wonder: Is this about protecting consumers and fostering competition, or is it a political spectacle designed to score points?
As the FTC’s probe unfolds, the stakes are high—not just for Microsoft, but for the broader tech industry. Will this investigation lead to meaningful change, or will it be another chapter in the long saga of regulatory theater? Stay tuned. The drama is far from over.
