German regulator probes Google's market position, data use

German regulators have launched an investigation into Google’s position in the market, and how the search and advertising giant handles user data

BERLIN -- German regulators have launched an investigation into Google's position in the market, and how the search engine and advertising giant handles user data. The Federal Cartel Office, or Bundeskartellamt, said Tuesday that it has started proceedings against Google entities in Germany, Ireland and California based on new provisions in German competition law that apply to large digital companies. Similar probes were launched into the activities of Facebook and Amazon in recent months. Google denied that its practices breach German competition rules. Under provisions which came into force in January, the Federal Cartel Office can ban companies that are of “paramount significance for competition across markets” from engaging in practices deemed to be anti-competitive.