A Google SEC filing quietly submitted late Thursday has confirmed an FTC antitrust investigation. The brief notice said it had received a subpoena for a look into the company’s behavior. Little was mentioned about the focus other than that it would touch on “search and advertising.”
The investigation is likely to center on whether Google is using its leading share to unfairly steer search results and advertising. In Europe, Microsoft has complained that Google locks down data that would help advertisers switch to another ad network easily. Concerns have also existed over what Google prioritizes in results.
In mobile, worries exist that Google may be prioritizing which companies are allowed to get privileged access to YouTube features. A Korean lawsuit has already alleged that it didn’t allow competing search engines on Android devices in certain cases.
Google hasn’t publicly addressed the FTC investigation outside
