Why the DOJ is ramping up its investigation into Google Maps
Google’s troubles with the government appear to be getting worse.
The Department of Justice has revived its investigation into Google Maps, once again focusing on possible antitrust violations, according to Bloomberg and Politico.
Lawyers at the department are reportedly investigating whether Google’s bundling of its mapping and search products gives it an unfair advantage by making app developers use the two services together. The investigation could trigger an additional antitrust complaint against the company, but no determination has been made yet on whether that will happen.
If the DOJ does move forward with a lawsuit, however, that would be the third antitrust action against Google and its parent company Alphabet. Officials filed one last month focused on the company’s online advertising business and one in 2020—revolving around its search product—which is scheduled to go to trial this September.
The company also is facing several lawsuits from a variety of state attorneys general.
According to reports, lawyers have been interviewing potential witnesses in the Maps investigation with an emphasis on a clause in Google’s terms of service requiring developers to use its map and search products together. That same clause prohibits them from using Google Places data, which includes details, reviews, photos, etc., on other services.
Google defended its products, saying in a statement to Fast Company, “Developers choose to use Google Maps Platform out of many options because they recognize it provides helpful, high-quality information. They are also free to use other mapping services in addition to Google Maps Platform—and many do.”
Politico reports that the DOJ is also looking at Google’s Automotive Services product for vehicle manufacturers, which packages Google Maps and the Google Play app store, as well as Google’s voice assistant.
“There is enormous competition in the connected car space, including an array of companies offering car infotainment systems,” said a Google spokesperson. “In fact, over 600 car models support Apple CarPlay and over 250 support Amazon Alexa. Even if automakers choose Android Automotive OS, they aren’t required to use Google Automotive Services for their cars.”
The concerns about Google Maps are hardly new. Garmin complained about Google’s restrictions during a February 2021 House hearing. And Reuters reported last March that the DOJ began looking at Google Maps loosely in 2020, but had ramped it up in early 2022. The investigation seems to have once again gained speed.
Still, the prospect of having to battle three separate antitrust suits in the U.S. alone is a daunting one. Earlier this year, the European Commission fined Google €2.42 billion (or about $2.6 billion) for antitrust violations, saying the company abused its market dominance as a search engine by giving an illegal advantage to its shopping service. That followed a $4.12 billion penalty in the EU last September over whether the company uses the Android operating system to limit competition.
This all comes as the White House has been firmly pursuing a more aggressive stance against big businesses, especially in the tech space.
Google and Alphabet say they are ready for the inquiry.
“We always cooperate with regulators and are glad to answer any questions they may have about our business,” the company said.
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