May 31, 2007 – (HOSTSEARCH.COM) – After considerable speculation in the press, on Internet chatrooms and Internet-related websites, the Washington Post reported yesterday that the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has requested "additional information and documentary materials" relating to Google’s proposed purchase of DoubleClick for $3.1 billion. The investigation is a response to concerns that Google’s purchase of DoubleClick, a leading online advertising company, may not be inline with antitrust laws.
The Washington Post quoted a Google executive as saying the company was told last Friday that an “initial 30-day waiting period had expired without the FTC or Justice Department deciding whether the acquisition could proceed.” However, the company was told the FTC would “take charge of the investigation”.
"We are confident that upon further review the FTC will conclude this acquisition poses no risk to competition and should be approved," the Washington Post quoted Google's Senior Corporate Counsel as suggesting in a written statement.
A number of critics have suggested the sheer volume of data Google would have at its disposal after a purchase of DoubleClick may create “privacy issues”. FTC approval of the purchase would provide major impetus for Google’s plans to push its advertising options beyond text and onto video.
The European Union is also looking into whether Google violates its privacy regulations.
