DOJ preparing antitrust probe into Google search and business practices, report says
The U.S. Department of Justice is reportedly preparing an antitrust investigation into Google's search and related business practices, with the probe coming years after the Federal Trade Commission closed its own probe into the internet giant with no tangible results.
Google CEO Sundar Pichai testifies in front of a U.S. congressional panel in 2018.
Citing sources familiar with the matter, The Wall Street Journal reports the DOJ's antitrust division has spent weeks readying an investigation into Google's practices, particularly as they relate to internet search and "other businesses."
Not much is known about the potential DOJ probe beyond its existence. While third parties have spoken to department officials, it is unknown if the agency has contacted Google or notified it of the coming scrutiny.
The FTC previously looked into Google's operations with an eye on antitrust issues in 2011, but closed the investigation in 2013 with little to show for its efforts. As noted by the report, Google did voluntarily modify certain business practices to remain in good standing with the commission, though the changes were far from substantial reform.
According to the report, the DOJ and FTC recently discussed who would supervise a new inquiry into Google, with the commission deciding to cede authority to the Justice Department.
While the nature of the investigation remains unknown, a negative outcome for Google could leave the search giant saddled with onerous regulatory burdens.
Google and CEO Sundar Pichai have recently touted efforts to protect consumer privacy in an attempt to counter public perception that the company exploits user data for financial gain. That road appears to be an uphill path, however, as Google continues to leverage user information for its bread-and-butter advertising solutions.
Google CEO Sundar Pichai testifies in front of a U.S. congressional panel in 2018.
Citing sources familiar with the matter, The Wall Street Journal reports the DOJ's antitrust division has spent weeks readying an investigation into Google's practices, particularly as they relate to internet search and "other businesses."
Not much is known about the potential DOJ probe beyond its existence. While third parties have spoken to department officials, it is unknown if the agency has contacted Google or notified it of the coming scrutiny.
The FTC previously looked into Google's operations with an eye on antitrust issues in 2011, but closed the investigation in 2013 with little to show for its efforts. As noted by the report, Google did voluntarily modify certain business practices to remain in good standing with the commission, though the changes were far from substantial reform.
According to the report, the DOJ and FTC recently discussed who would supervise a new inquiry into Google, with the commission deciding to cede authority to the Justice Department.
While the nature of the investigation remains unknown, a negative outcome for Google could leave the search giant saddled with onerous regulatory burdens.
Google and CEO Sundar Pichai have recently touted efforts to protect consumer privacy in an attempt to counter public perception that the company exploits user data for financial gain. That road appears to be an uphill path, however, as Google continues to leverage user information for its bread-and-butter advertising solutions.
Comments
And that's just the first three things I could think of that they should be investigated for off the top of my head -- there's also their part in helping the Russians interfere with the last general election, and probably a hundred more things if I really sat down and thought about it.
The public PERCEPTION?? It’s a fact. It’s their entire business model.
Google, FB and Twitter's interference, manipulation and censorship is far worse and is also a far greater threat to the election system, to democracy, to free speech and to the USA, as they actually are in control of the biggest platforms. They are in essence big brother and in charge of their respective platforms.
I've said it before, but I'm sure glad that Apple is not involved in the social media business, like the above mentioned three are.
I do not trust them or their intentions.
I used to play poker online some years back, before it got banned online many places in the USA, and almost all of the biggest poker sites have their RNG algorithms verified and tested by an outside third party auditor to ensure that they are legit and not being tampered with.
Google and the rest of them (FB, Twitter etc.) should also have to prove that their algorithms and practices are legit and they should also have to disclose every facet of how they conduct themselves and their business. There have been far too many instances of shady practices, censorship and discrimination to believe that their intent is fair or honest anymore.
If I asked the question, "which Apple computer should I buy if there's no Mac Pro this year?" an equally inappropriate answer would be "There will be a Mac Pro this year." That's also a failure to understand the question.
For those who asked for evidence of political bias, what about the case this week that was all over the headlines saying that someone's video of Nancy Pelosi was censored by Youtube and Google because it slowed down the audio by 10% which made her look drunk or stupid? You can find videos of Trump being decapitated but if you upload a video slowing down a Democrat's voice by 10%, you get banned by Internet companies. Isn't that bias? I saw the video and the speed slowdown was so minimal I couldn't even tell it was doctored. Nancy Pelosi normally sounds drunk and stupid.
The only laughable part of this is that it is being supported by those who believe most strongly in "limited government" and criticize China for controlling its people and media.
But, we don't.
Instead we have an Attorney General acting as the president's personal attorney, lying for him, spreading disinformation for him and "investigating" those on his enemies list.
It is such a sad state for Eisenhower-era republicans that Trump-era republicans are happy to be in bed with Russians if it means getting their joke of candidate in office.
I'd be willing to bet big money that it has nothing to do with politics, and everything to do with a copyright complaint (such as the music used) and/or another, more innocuous reason. To quote Sflocal, until you provide sourced proof you're just generating "crap like this that's the cancer of the Internet. People (not companies) putting out their opinions and masquerading it as fact."