California has launched anantitrust investigation intoGoogle , according to a report from Politico.- The substance of the probe is not known, but is said to be a separate investigation to the joint probe by 50 attorneys general launched last year.
- Google is now facing several separate antitrust investigations into its search, advertising, and Android businesses.
California has launched an antitrust investigation into Google, according to a report from Politico, adding to what was already gearing up to be a heated summer of antitrust battles for the company.
The substance of the probe is unknown, but Politico reports that it is separate from the other ongoing investigation into Google's business practices, according to people "with knowledge of the inquiry."
California would be the 49th state to launch an antitrust investigation into the company. Last year, attorneys general from 48 states and two territories launched a joint probe into Google's advertising and search practices, but California was not among them. According to the report, California is not joining the existing state coalition and is instead running its own investigation.
California is home to Google's Mountain View headquarters, making it a particularly noteworthy addition to the list of investigators into Google's business.
Separately, the Justice Department is running its own antitrust investigation into Google. In May, the Washington Post reported that both the federal and state investigations were preparing to bring lawsuits against the company.
Then, there's the House Judiciary Committee investigation into the four major tech companies — Google, Apple, Facebook, and Amazon — which will hold a hearing on July 27. All four CEOs have committed to testifying.
So far, the antitrust investigations into Google have focused heavily on its advertising business and search practices, although it's been reported that the company's Android business is also being looked at.
A Google spokesperson declined to comment for this story.
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