Texas AG Accuses Google Of Delaying Antitrust Investigation

The state attorney general leading a broad antitrust investigation into Google is accusing the tech giant of delaying the case and vowed to see it through to the end.

In an interview with CNBC on Wednesday, February 5, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton pointed to Google’s attempts to prevent the state from using certain outside consultants as one delay tactic. And Paxton said he’s willing to take a more aggressive stance as a result.

“They’re pushing us towards a fight,” Paxton told CNBC. “We don’t necessarily want one. But we won’t back off if they’re not going to cooperate.”

Google has stated it objected to three consultants because they worked for competitors, including Microsoft and News, and that it wants to ensure any documents they review remain confidential.

“We have been working constructively with the Texas attorney general and have produced a substantial volume of information in response to his inquiry even as we seek assurances that our confidential business information won’t be shared with competitors or vocal complainants,” a Google spokesperson said. 

Texas announced its investigation into Google in September of last year on the steps of the US Supreme Court, backed by 49 attorneys general from nearly every state and territory in the country. Paxton told CNBC his team is focused on Google’s ad business, while other states are looking into a range of additional anticompetitive complaints. CNBC reported last fall that some state attorneys general have expanded their probes to look into Google’s Android and search businesses.

Full Content: CNBC

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