Google confirms antitrust investigation by DOJ

Google parent company Alphabet on Friday said it is being investigated by the U.S. Department of Justice over potential antitrust violations, confirming suspicions that it would be a target in the government's wide-roving review of tech companies.

The internet search giant revealed the state of affairs in a Securities and Exchange Commission filing, saying that it received a civil investigative demand from the DOJ for previous antitrust documentation in August, reports CNBC.

"On August 30, 2019, Alphabet received a civil investigative demand from the DOJ requesting information and documents relating to our prior antitrust investigations in the United States and elsewhere," Alphabet said in the filing. "We expect to receive in the future similar investigative demands from state attorneys general."

In July, the DOJ announced plans to conduct an antitrust review of major technology companies in the U.S., focusing on "the widespread concerns that consumers, businesses, and entrepreneurs have expressed about search, social media, and some retail services online."

According to a report in May, which first broached news of the now official antitrust probe, officials will review Google's internet search business and "other practices" that could potentially pose a threat to consumers. A follow-up report this week claimed more than 30 state attorneys general would be involved in the action.

News of the DOJ's request, which serves as confirmation of an antitrust review, into Alphabet's business practices arrives just hours after the New York State Attorney General announced a similar probe of Facebook.

Apple could also face scrutiny from either the DOJ or Federal Trade Commission, which are working on the effort in tandem, though official word of an investigation has yet break.

23 Comments

22july2013 3725 comments · 11 Years

About 5 years ago

My main concern is whether they are wittingly or unwittingly aiding one political party using their resources but not declaring them as political support if the law requires that all political support, financial or otherwise, be documented.

LordeHawk 168 comments · 7 Years

It would be a very difficult for the government to prove Apple is harming customers with their App Store. As a generalization, most of the companies complaining owe a large part of their success if not all, to Apple.

I would be interested in data to verify my assumption.

monstrosity 2227 comments · 17 Years

LordeHawk said:

It would be a very difficult for the government to prove Apple is harming customers with their App Store. As a generalization, most of the companies complaining owe a large part of their success if not all, to Apple.

I would be interested in data to verify my assumption.

Lack of free speech harms customers

christophb 1479 comments · 15 Years

monstrosity said:

LordeHawk said:

It would be a very difficult for the government to prove Apple is harming customers with their App Store. As a generalization, most of the companies complaining owe a large part of their success if not all, to Apple.

I would be interested in data to verify my assumption.

Lack of free speech harms customers

I’m missing the connection between political speech and anti-trust, anti-competitive practices.

CloudTalkin 916 comments · 5 Years

monstrosity said:

LordeHawk said:

It would be a very difficult for the government to prove Apple is harming customers with their App Store. As a generalization, most of the companies complaining owe a large part of their success if not all, to Apple.

I would be interested in data to verify my assumption.

Lack of free speech harms customers

If Apple suddenly becomes a government entity, we can concern ourselves with harm from freedom of speech being violated. 'Til then, let's focus on anti-trust and anti-competitive issues as possible problems.