Report: FTC May Reopen Investigation Into Google Search Domination

[engine]

According to the report, this may just be part of a routine FTC review, and won't necessarily mean it'll take matters further.

Federal Trade Commission officials are asking questions again about whether Google has abused its dominance in the Internet search market, a sign that the agency may be taking steps to reopen an investigation it closed more than three years ago, according to sources familiar with the discussions. Report: FTC May Reopen Investigation Into Google Search Domination [politico.com]

Previous stories
2012 FTC Antitrust Probe Into Google: Documents Exposed Reveal "real harm to consumers and to innovation" [webmasterworld.com]

Google and FTC Agree Settlement Over Antitrust [webmasterworld.com]

[superclown2]

Could this perhaps have something to do with the Obama administration coming to an end, I wonder?

[EditorialGuy]

Sounds more like a PR initiative by a Google competitor that's trying to stir the pot. From the Politico story:

The FTC's discussions with the major U.S. company [the source for the story] have centered on the nuts-and-bolts of how Google's search products behave today and any possible anti-competitive effects, according to the company sources. The discussions were initiated at the company’s request.

Note the text that I've put in boldface. The discussions were initiated by the company, not by the FTC.

[ecommerceprofit]

The FTC needs to step up...unfortunately, Google has a thing called lobbyists. Not saying Google is doing anything wrong. This is purely my opinion.

4-22-15 article dailydot says Google was the largest lobbyist in the U.S. with 5.4M

[tangor]

If there is a conservative change in administration, it is likely the FTC will get a makeover, thus some things tried or "not tried" in the past will get a new lease on life.

[ecommerceprofit]

Good point! I sure hope this happens. Not trying to get political but this is not right :(