Google reportedly facing U.S. antitrust investigation focused on Android

Already in the crosshairs of European regulators because of Android’s dominance, Google could now be facing a second antitrust investigation in the U.S. involving its mobile operating system.

According to a report by Bloomberg today, the Federal Trade Commission will lead the investigation to determine whether Google hurt competition by limiting competitor’s access to Android. Bloomberg cited “two people familiar with the matter.”

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If true, it’s the latest in a string of antitrust battles the search giant has faced.

Two years ago, the FTC investigated Google’s search business. But despite some issues raised by staffers, the FTC ultimately decided not to bring a case.

It’s been a different story in Europe.

For years, Google had tried to reach a settlement over its search dominance. Despite coming close a few times, the company could never quite get enough support from European Union nations to accept an agreement.

Instead, earlier this year, the European Commission filed a formal antitrust case against Google’s search business. But it also opened its own inquiry into whether Google was abusing Android’s power by forcing manufacturers to accept unfavorable terms, or hurting competitors by bundling its own apps into the system.

The U.S. investigation would likely touch on similar issues, according to Bloomberg.