Microsoft Corp has threatened to block access to its online databases, which it licenses to rival search engines, if they don’t stop using use it as a basis for their own data analysis, Bloomberg News reported on Friday.

The company has told at least two customers that using its Bing search index — a map of the internet that can be searched in real time — to feed its AI chat tools has been breached. terms of their contract, the news agency said, citing familiar people. the argument.

Redmond, Washington-based Microsoft may also terminate licenses to access its search engine, Bloomberg added.

Microsoft did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The creator of the Windows operating system said in February that it is renewing its Bing search engine and the Edge Web browser with artificial intelligence, showing its intention to regain the lead in the consumer technology market that has fallen behind.

The improvement of the Bing search engine was announced to users at the end of last month.