PK Urges Antitrust Enforcers to Probe Google’s Search Engine Contracts

Antitrust enforcers should investigate whether Google is violating antitrust law through exclusive contracts making the platform the default search engine for cellphone manufacturers and online content providers, Public Knowledge wrote DOJ and state attorneys general Thursday. “Lack of competition in search harms consumers and advertisers, as well as other search providers and potential entrants,” PK wrote. “Years of stagnation caused by a lack of competition have likely had harmful effects that are broad and difficult to quantify.” DOJ, Google and the office of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) didn’t comment. Paxton, who PK addressed in the letter, is helping lead an antitrust investigation of Google (see 2004220067).