02:43 PM EDT, 09/30/2024 (MT Newswires) -- Microsoft ( MSFT ) will undergo closer scrutiny for the next five years to prevent anticompetitive practices due to its prominent position across markets, including in cloud and artificial intelligence, Germany's Federal Cartel Office said Monday.

"Microsoft's ( MSFT ) many products are omnipresent in companies, authorities and private households and have become indispensable," Federal Cartel Office President Andreas Mundt said in a statement.

Microsoft ( MSFT ) products like the Windows operating system, Office applications and its investment in ChatGPT maker OpenAI were factors that led to this decision, the regulator said.

"We recognize our responsibility to support a healthy competitive environment and we will strive to be proactive, collaborative and responsible in working with the [Federal Cartel Office]," a Microsoft ( MSFT ) spokesperson said in an emailed response to MT Newswires. "Microsoft ( MSFT ) is partnering with Germany's most innovative companies, and we're committed to investing in the growth of its digital economy."

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