Google is, once again, being investigated by the FTC for ‘antitrust’ actions. This time the FTC is looking into Google’s Android operating system. The investigation is part of an agreement between the FTC and the Justice Department to look into the mobile operating system business.
The claim is that Google gives priority to the Android platform while restricting those who use other options (such as iOS). This investigation is still very early in the process and may not end up leading to any charges or actions. Of course, anytime the FTC is looking into a major tech company like this it is something that they need to be concerned with.
This move is taking place not long after the European Union started their own probe into the Android platform. The argument (in the EU) was prompted by complaints from other tech companies including Microsoft, Expedia and Nokia.
There is no word whether or not the EU and the US investigators are working together on the case, even though they are quite similar in nature.
With Android controlling nearly 60% of the smart phone market, many people don’t like how Google wraps Android along with their other products. Google treats activities including search, maps, YouTube and more differently when they come from Android compared to other options. Of course, this is largely because they have more control over each platform when used together so it is not necessarily an anti-competitive action by the tech giant.
Bundling products like this may violate antitrust laws when they dominate a market for specific products or services that the customers need. This investigation will determine whether or not the FTC believes that is the case.
This investigation could take many months to complete, but is certainly something that anyone in the marketing or search industry should be well aware of.
