Google May Be Targeted in FTC Antitrust Probe
Google is on the short list of companies the Federal Trade Commission is considering for investigation, though an antirust probe hasn’t been launched just yet. The news comes on the heels of a complaint filed in Europe by Microsoft last week, saying Google creates unfair competition in the search engine market. Google’s dominance of search has already been under investigation in Europe since the fall.
The reason the FTC hasn’t opened up an investigation just yet hinges on a decision by the Justice Department to challenge Google’s acquisition of ITA Software Inc., an airline ticketing software company. That $700 million deal is still on the tablet, and until it is squashed or given the green light, the FTC will hold off.
[via Reuters]