A PYMNTS Company

US: DOJ reportedly preparing Google antitrust probe

By  |  June 2, 2019

The Justice Department (DOJ) is laying the foundation for a potential antitrust investigation of Google, The Wall Street Journal reported.

    Get the Full Story

    Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access to all PYMNTS content — no additional logins required.

    yesSubscribe to our daily newsletter, PYMNTS Today.

    By completing this form, you agree to receive marketing communications from PYMNTS and to the sharing of your information with our sponsor, if applicable, in accordance with our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions.

    The DOJ’s Antitrust Division in recent weeks has been laying the groundwork for the probe, the people familiar with the matter said. The Federal Trade Commission, which shares antitrust authority with the DOJ, previously conducted a broad investigation of Google but closed it in 2013 without taking action, though Google made some voluntary changes to certain business practices.

    The renewed probe may focus on Google’s search business, according to The Wall Street Journal.

    The shift has come with multibillion-dollar antitrust fines for Google from the European Union. Facebook has come under intense fire over Russian use of its platform to meddle in the 2016 US presidential election. Policy makers also are increasingly skeptical of internet companies’ privacy practices, as well as their potential to create other public harm.

    Full Content: Wall Street Journal

    Want more news? Subscribe to CPI’s free daily newsletter for more headlines and updates on antitrust developments around the world.