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.

This move follows the FTC’s legal challenge against Microsoft’s $75 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard, which faced antitrust concerns around Microsoft’s cloud gaming business. While a federal court allowed the acquisition to proceed, the FTC’s appeal highlights its commitment to maintaining oversight of Big Tech’s market reach.