According to the WSJ, high level Federal Trade Commission officials recommended a lawsuit against Google back in 2012 over anti-competitive practices, but eventually dropped the request in 2013.
The FTC went as far as to say that the search giant had a monopoly on the Internet, and was abusing its power.
Staff members blasted the company in a 160-page critique, concluding that Google's "conduct has resulted--and will result--in real harm to consumers and to innovation in the online search and advertising markets."
In 2013, however, FTC commissioners voted unanimously to end any investigation after Google made voluntary changes to its practices. It also appears that the FTC's economic bureau did not favor legal action against Google, so the commissioners had multiple conflicting reports to deal with.
See more here: Inside the U.S. Antitrust Probe of Google
Staff members blasted the company in a 160-page critique, concluding that Google's "conduct has resulted--and will result--in real harm to consumers and to innovation in the online search and advertising markets."
In 2013, however, FTC commissioners voted unanimously to end any investigation after Google made voluntary changes to its practices. It also appears that the FTC's economic bureau did not favor legal action against Google, so the commissioners had multiple conflicting reports to deal with.
See more here: Inside the U.S. Antitrust Probe of Google
