US justice officials set to meet and coordinate on Google competition and advertising probe
- Investigation centres on monopolistic behaviour that may harm consumers through Google’s control of online advertising markets and search traffic
- Attorneys general from 48 US states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico formally launched an investigation into Google last year
US state attorneys general will meet Justice Department lawyers next week to share information on their investigations into Alphabet Inc’s Google, two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters on Sunday.
The probes revolve around monopolistic behaviour that may harm consumers through Google’s control of online advertising markets and search traffic.
The Wall Street Journal had first reported about the meeting and said it could eventually lead the Justice Department and Google to join forces.
Talks will likely include Google’s dominance in online search, possible anticompetitive behaviour in its Android mobile operating system, and the best division of labour as the probes move forward, the paper said, citing some of the people.
US federal and state authorities have not shared data about their concurrent investigations to date, the journal added, citing some of the people.
US Justice Department to review Google’s deal for Fitbit
Attorneys general from 48 US states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico formally launched an investigation into Google last year, in a sign of growing scrutiny of technology giants.
At least seven attorneys general who are part of the investigation being led by the Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton have been invited to the meeting, the Journal reported.
Google and the Justice Department did not immediately respond to Reuters’ requests for comment.
