US: FTC looking at reopening antitrust investigation against Google

Alphabet’s Google search engine faces intense antitrust scrutiny in Europe over its business practices. That scrutiny may spill over into its home country, the US.

Federal Trade Commission officials have recently restarted discussions about whether Google has abused its position as the country’s dominant search engine by favoring its own products over competitors in search results, according to Politico. The FTC discussions signal “renewed agency interest” in a potential antitrust examination, Politico reports, after the agency investigated similar allegations in 2013.

That inquiry concluded after the FTC found no wrongdoing. A new investigation would have to show that Google had used its dominant position to unfairly squash competition and limit consumer choice.

The agency has also held recent meetings about Google’s mobile operating system, Android.

The discussions come as a handful of tech companies control increasing amount of the time consumers spend online, how they navigate the web, and get information. That ultimately means fewer choices for consumers, a phrase that sets off alarm bells among regulators.

Full Content: Fortune

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