The Italian regulatory agency has launched an investigation into Microsoft's price increase for "Microsoft 365".

The Italian antitrust regulator said on Friday that it has launched an investigation into Microsoft for suspected unfair business practices during the price increase process of its "Microsoft 365" subscription service. The regulator stated that the Windows system manufacturer did not adequately inform consumers that its Microsoft 365 service was integrated with artificial intelligence tools Copilot and Designer. The regulator added in a statement that unless consumers actively choose to opt out, they will be automatically switched to a more expensive subscription package, and the information they receive is insufficient to make a decision on whether to renew. The regulator also pointed out that the tech giant's practices could be seen as "coercive" as it improperly limited consumers' freedom of choice. Microsoft has not immediately commented on the matter.