By the Associated Press and KFDI News:
Kansas attorney general Derek Schmidt says his office has joined a multi-state investigation into tech giant Google, to determine if its business practices are complying with state and federal antitrust laws.
Several advocacy groups are lauding state attorneys general for opening an investigation into Google’s market power.
The consumer group Public Citizen says the time has come for tech giants like Google to be held accountable for violating U.S. antitrust laws.
A bipartisan coalition of 48 states along with Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia said Monday it is investigating whether Google’s search and advertising business is engaged in monopolistic behavior. It follows a Friday announcement of a similar multistate probe targeting Facebook.
Another group, Public Knowledge, says the state-led investigations are a powerful step forward after years in which the companies’ market power went largely unexamined.
The advocacy groups say the action from states might also put pressure on federal antitrust enforcers, who have already opened similar investigations.
The Open Markets Institute, which favors more competition, is also weighing in with support.
