Google was served with subpoenas from the FTC (Federal Trade Commission) and several state attorneys about six weeks ago. Citing “people familiar with the probe,” The Wall Street Journal is reporting today that the FTC is focusing its investigation on two of Google’s core businesses: Web searches and its Android mobile operating system. With regards to Android, the FTC is looking into whether Google is preventing smartphone manufacturers from bundling competing search and other services.
Google has denied any wrongdoing and suggests that the antitrust investigations it now faces are due to its success and jealous rivals. “We understand that with success comes scrutiny,” said a Google spokeswoman. “We’re happy to answer any questions they have about our business.”
It’s still early days for the investigation. It could be more than a year before we find out if the FTC will lay charges or not.