The US' Federal Trade Commission (FTC) may soon join the list of government agencies investigating Google's dominance of the Internet search industry. Citing two people familiar with the matter, media reports indicate that the FTC is considering an antitrust investigation of Google in this regard.
The FTC is awaiting a decision by the Justice Department on whether it will dispute Google's planned acquisition of ITA Software, Inc., an airline flight and ticket information provider, before proceeding with any probe.
According to a Bloomberg report, the FTC and the Justice Department share responsibility for investigating antitrust claims and could negotiate which agency would lead a major investigation into Google. The Justice Department is expected to issue a decision soon on the $700 million ITA deal.
According to a ComScore market research report, Google fields nearly 67 percent of Internet searches in the US. This domination has led to increased scrutiny of the company over the past several years. Officials in Texas and the European Commission have launched investigations into Google's search dominance, while Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine is considering such a probe.
Earlier last week rival Microsoft Corp. filed an official complaint with the EU, claiming that Google engages in a 'pattern of actions' that impede competition unfairly. The company gave several examples of what it believes are anticompetitive acts.
Lawmakers including Senator Richard Blumenthal, a Connecticut Democrat, and Senator Mike Lee, a Utah Republican, have urged the Senate Judiciary subcommittee on antitrust to hold a hearing on Google's dominance of Internet businesses.
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