FTC To Investigate Google+ In A Wider Aspect

Sites include Google.com . Published on January 26th, 2012. Written by Anthony West.

Google has been busy defending itself in the last few months against antitrust allegations by the FTC and it seems it is about to be even busier. In June Google was answering questions about its supposed manipulation of search results to accommodate its own products; now it will have to answer questions about Google+ and whether it has given it preferential treatment in its vast network of online products and services.

The FTC admits that this particular probe will be a bit more difficult and already it has labelled the probe, “the most comprehensive one ever undertaken with Google”. It is important to point out that the probe into Google+ comes at the same time that other social media sites have been complaining heavily about Google’s latest set of actions. The search giant recently integrated integrated its Google+ data into its search results.

What’s perhaps worrying for Google is the fact that the ongoing battle over SOPA and PIPA has put it square against the legislative body in Washington, and although the FTC will be keen to not show bias, some level of partiality is bound to come out. Whether or not Google will be able to sustain the mounting pressure will be interesting to see.

Should Google worry about the latest probe by the FTC? Share your thoughts below.