Canada’s Antitrust Probe into Google’s Online Ads Expands
The Competition Bureau of Canada has obtained a court order to expand its ongoing investigation into the advertising dominance of Google, a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc.
The watchdog’s investigation began in 2020 and initially focused on whether Google used its share of the video advertising business to gain power in the market for advertiser buying tools.
The investigation has been expanded to look at Google’s dominance of the display ad technology business, the Canadian watchdog said Thursday. The agency said it is investigating the possibility that Google is using “predatory” pricing in the ad technology market, reducing choice and stifling innovation in the online display ad market.
The court order compels the Mountain View, Calif.-based company to provide evidence for the agency’s investigation.
While Canada’s competition laws are not considered the strictest in the world, the expanded investigation adds to Google’s growing legal and regulatory woes as it faces investigations and lawsuits across its wide range of services, including its app store and now artificial intelligence.
Google owns four of the largest online advertising technology services used in Canada, including AdX and Display & Video 360, according to the agency.
