Sep 6, 2019

States to open Facebook antitrust probe

Photo: DENIS CHARLET/AFP/Getty Images

A group of state attorneys general, led by New York's Letitia James, are opening a new antitrust probe into Facebook, just as another set led by Texas's Ken Paxton is gearing up to announce a separate investigation into Google on Monday.

Why it matters: The companies have faced increased scrutiny from federal lawmakers and regulators, and will now have to deal with investigations from the states.

Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Nebraska, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, and the District of Columbia are joining New York in the probe, which focuses on "Facebook’s dominance in the industry and the potential anticompetitive conduct stemming from that dominance," per the official announcement.

Go deeper: States to launch Google, Facebook antitrust probes

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Kia Kokalitcheva

The growing list of U.S. government inquiries into Big Tech

Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios

Monday, a large group of state attorneys general led by Texas's Ken Paxton is expected to announced a new antitrust probe into Google, adding to the lengthening list of investigations into the big internet companies.

Why it matters: Big tech companies like Google, Facebook, and Amazon are now facing numerous state and federal probes into their practices. These companies have historically enjoyed wide regulatory freedom in the U.S., but lawmakers and regulators want to change that — and antitrust law gives government its most powerful tools to penalize, regulate or even break up American corporations.

Catch upSep 9, 2019

Scott Rosenberg, Jacob Knutson

50 states and territories open joint antitrust investigation into Google

The Google logo on display in Berlin, Germany. Photo: Michele Tantussi/Getty Images

Attorneys general of 50 states and territories on Monday formally announced a joint, bipartisan antitrust investigation into Google, the Washington Post reports.

Why it matters: The move by the states and territories represents a new, wide-ranging front in the government-led assault on Google's power. It also means that even if parallel probes by the Department of Justice and Congress fizzle out, some even more aggressive state prosecutors could carry on the fight.

Go deeperSep 9, 2019

Dion Rabouin

Facebook and Google slated to face more antitrust probes

Photos: Denis Charlet/AFP/ Daniel Reinhardt/picture alliance via Getty Images

State attorneys general are expected to formally launch antitrust investigations this week into Facebook and Alphabet’s Google.

Background: These are separate from ongoing investigations by the Justice Department and the FTC, which have been looking into the 2 mega companies since last year, plus ongoing inquiries from the FBI and SEC.

Go deeperSep 9, 2019