CEO of Alphabet and Google Sundar Pichai in Warsaw, Poland on March 29, 2022.
Mateusz Wlodarczyk | Nurphoto | Getty Images
The Department of Justice has renewed its give attention to Google Maps, including to its already-sprawling antitrust investigation into the corporate, Politico and Bloomberg reported Wednesday.
The DOJ is homing in on whether or not Google illegally bundles its mapping and search merchandise by making app builders use them collectively, the shops reported, citing unnamed sources. Politico additionally reported that the DOJ is trying into how Google packages its maps, app retailer and voice assistant for automakers via Google Automotive Services.
Reuters reported in March that the division was trying into Google Maps bundling. But the probe has appeared to select up velocity, as Politico and Bloomberg reported the DOJ has been re-interviewing potential witnesses, together with opponents and prospects, in latest weeks.
A lawsuit may come as quickly as this 12 months, Politico reported, although sources advised the outlet no resolution has been made on whether or not to file a case.
DOJ has already filed two antitrust lawsuits in opposition to Google: One in 2020 focusing on Google’s distribution of its search product, and one final month centered on its internet advertising business.
Google additionally faces a number of lawsuits from coalitions of state attorneys common, centered on points much like these within the DOJ instances in addition to the Google Play cellular app retailer.
In an announcement, a Google spokesperson mentioned builders are “free to use other mapping services in addition to Google Maps Platform — and many do.”
The spokesperson mentioned Google faces “enormous competition in the connected car space” and automakers who use Google’s Android Automotive OS aren’t required to additionally use its automotive companies.
“We always cooperate with regulators and are glad to answer any questions they may have about our business,” the spokesperson mentioned.
A DOJ spokesperson declined to remark.
Subscribe to CNBC on YouTube.
WATCH: How the web is regulated
Source: www.cnbc.com