Google Maps' dominance is being investigated

According to three individuals familiar with the inquiry, the US Justice Department is looking at Google’s mapping dominance, renewing a strand of its long-running antitrust investigation into the search engine.

Department attorneys have been collecting information and re-interviewing prospective witnesses, according to the sources, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss an ongoing inquiry.

The investigation is focused on how Alphabet Inc.’s Google packages its services and might result in a new antitrust case, according to the sources.

The development demonstrates that the Justice Department is still investigating some of Google’s most popular products, despite bringing two major antitrust claims against the corporation.

According to Google’s terms of service, developers must utilise its maps and search products together.

The restrictions hinder businesses from accessing Google Places data on competing mapping services, which provides precise information, images, and reviews about specific facilities.

Bundling, or forcing firms to use one product in order to acquire access to a more popular one, can violate antitrust law.

According to Google, the constraints provide a decent user experience, and certain third parties from whom it licences map data limit how it is used.

“Developers choose to use Google Maps Platform out of many options because they recognize it provides helpful, high-quality information,” Google spokesperson Peter Schottenfels said.

“They are also free to use other mapping services in addition to Google Maps Platform – and many do.”

Competitors have argued that the limits will stifle innovation in a variety of developing industries, including drones, transport and logistics, electric and driverless cars.

Garmin Ltd. and Mapbox Inc. addressed concerns about Google’s map limits at a House hearing in February 2021.

A spokeswoman for the Justice Department declined to comment.

The Justice Department launched an investigation into Google in 2019 and has since filed two antitrust lawsuits, one focusing on search and the other on its advertising technology company.

As part of the search investigation, the agency sought mapping material from the business, but eventually chose to submit a restricted antitrust complaint that focuses on Google’s contracts with browsers and smartphone makers that compel its search engine to be set as the default.

State attorneys general launched their own investigations and filed three different complaints against Google concerning search, advertising technologies, and Google’s control over programmes downloaded on Android smartphones and tablets.

The state search lawsuit, sponsored by Colorado and Nebraska, was wider than the Justice Department’s and included charges about mapping and Google’s bundling of goods for automakers.

Last year, Germany’s antitrust authorities launched an investigation into Google’s map limits.

Politico previously reported on the resurrected investigation.