The FTC's Investigation of Google: What To Do When The FTC Sends Your Company An Inquiry
This post was written by Rachel A. Rubin and Joseph I. Rosenbaum.
In June, Google confirmed that the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) opened an antitrust investigation against it. While the scope and details of the investigation have not been disclosed, the FTC is likely examining whether and how Google has used its dominance in Internet search and advertising to stifle competition, and whether Google’s actions cause harm to consumers.
As part of its investigation, the FTC can and will reach out to third parties, including Google’s partners, advertisers, and competitors, to learn more about the way Google behaves in the market. As the recipient of an FTC inquiry that is not purely voluntary, you are obligated to provide certain information to the FTC. While the nature and extent of this information will vary by company, receiving an FTC inquiry raises a host of legal questions and concerns.
So what do you do when the FTC reaches out to your company? We have prepared a set of FAQs – What Should You Do When The FTC Calls About Google? – to help your company understand the range of possible inquiries, the process of responding to the FTC, and your company’s potential liability.
For more information before or after you receive a letter from the FTC, please contact Joseph I. Rosenbaum or Rachel A. Rubin.
