U.S. Also Investigating Google for Anti-Competitive Practices

[HKZeroFive]

Google Inc. is back under U.S. antitrust scrutiny as officials ask whether the tech giant stifled competitors’ access to its Android mobile-operating system, said two people familiar with the matter.

The Federal Trade Commission reached an agreement with the Justice Department to spearhead an investigation of Google’s Android business, the people said.

FTC officials have met with technology company representatives who say Google gives priority to its own services on the Android platform, while restricting others, added the people, who asked for anonymity because the matter is confidential.

The inquiry is in its early stages, and it could end without a case against the company. Regardless, it shows the FTC is again turning its attention to one of America’s biggest companies, two years after it closed a separate investigation into Google’s Internet search business. The FTC’s handling of the earlier probe left some technology companies skeptical of the agency’s willingness to bring a case, according to the people.

Spokesmen for the FTC and Google declined to comment.

Looks like Google is under alot of anti-trust scrutiny from both sides of the Atlantic (Europe and America for those not keen on Geography ). However, the EU investigation is still examining evidence and Google's defence argument, and is currently determining a verdict. It looks like the situation may be similar in the U.S. and it may also take a while before the investigation concludes. Still, I wouldn't want to be Google right now.

More about EU Investigation: http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/382310-google-is-facing-more-antitrust-complaints-regarding-android/

Sauce: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-09-25/google-said-to-be-under-u-s-antitrust-scrutiny-over-android-iezf41sg

[SPAS-ID]

Noooooo !!!

[carolkarine]

"who say Google gives priority to its own services on the Android platform, while restricting others,"

Isn't this perfectly okay? I mean, it's their fucking OS.

[Dabombinable]

"who say Google gives priority to its own services on the Android platform, while restricting others,"

Isn't this perfectly okay? I mean, it's their fucking OS.

The same complaints could be said about OSX, iOS, and MS Windows. The entire thing is BS.

[PlayStation 2]

Someone at Google must've saltied a government official.

[Misanthrope]

Cute, the US trying to be all "Oh yeah, we totally care about this monopoly stuff, that's why we have like 3 fucking ISPs for the entire country!"

[Trik'Stari]

Cute, the US trying to be all "Oh yeah, we totally care about this monopoly stuff, that's why we have like 3 fucking ISPs for the entire country!"

I will now translate this issue from political terms, into english.

 

*clears throat*

"We aren't receiving our cut of the action, so we have decided to open an investigation into Google. Completely ignoring all the other companies that do the same thing, but line the right pockets".

[PlayStation 2]

I will now translate this issue from political terms, into english.

 

*clears throat(*

"We aren't receiving our cut of the action, so we have decided to open an investigation into Google. Completely ignoring all the other companies that do the same thing, but line the right pockets".

 

Someone at Google must've saltied a government official.

[Trik'Stari]

 

Damn you sir. Damn you.

[PlayStation 2]

Damn you sir. Damn you.

kek

yeah, my money is on "g00gle isn't sucking the gov't's dick hard enough"

[Anult]

"who say Google gives priority to its own services on the Android platform, while restricting others,"

Isn't this perfectly okay? I mean, it's their fucking OS.

 

Still didn't stop Microsoft getting done in under the sherman antitrust act by the DoJ back in '98.

[soaringchicken]

Yeah I agree, Google doesn't have to make there OS open source in the first place. Why is this even a thing.....

[zacRupnow]

"who say Google gives priority to its own services on the Android platform, while restricting others,"

Isn't this perfectly okay? I mean, it's their fucking OS.

True but I would say it's not alright that they give ALL Google apps on the Play Store an Editors Choice award.

[Misanthrope]

I will now translate this issue from political terms, into english.

 

*clears throat(*

"We aren't receiving our cut of the action, so we have decided to open an investigation into Google. Completely ignoring all the other companies that do the same thing, but line the right pockets".

 

[Zah]

"who say Google gives priority to its own services on the Android platform, while restricting others,"

Isn't this perfectly okay? I mean, it's their fucking OS.

Because when you control a majority and then do things to hinder others while benefiting from that majority, it's considered bad?

 

Microsoft did the same thing, in America and Europe.

[FakezZ]

Yeah I agree, Google doesn't have to make there OS open source in the first place. Why is this even a thing.....

They do if they want to still be using the linux kernel. Otherwise they have to make their own one. And there is absolutely no reason to do that.