48 States and Two US Territories Join Massive Anti-Trust Lawsuit Against Google

Less than two months after the Justice Department initiated a wide-ranging antitrust review of big tech companies, 50 U.S. states and territories, led by Texas, Monday announced their own investigation into Google's "potential monopolistic behavior." 

A key issue in the states' probe is whether Google abuses its market dominance in online search, advertising, and mobile operating systems to unfairly gain leverage in other markets, stifling innovation and harming consumers. 

Although anti-conservative bias among Google's leadership has been documented and frequently draws the ire of top Republicans, the antitrust probes do not expressly relate to those concerns. 

Forbes discusses the parallel antitrust investigation into FaceBook, as well as other investigations into Apple and Amazon: 

While Facebook has been criticized for its handling of privacy, misinformation and hate speech, lawmakers are now questioning whether Facebook has any meaningful competition, especially for users who want to jump ship due to how much user data the company collects. 

Investigators may also be looking at Facebook's acquisitions of WhatsApp and Instagram.... 

Here are the investigations: Federal Trade Commission: 

The FTC has already investigated and fined Facebook for its privacy practices, but it also started its own antitrust investigation into the company in June. 

The FTC also has the authority to investigate Amazon for possible antitrust violations. Department of Justice: 

The DOJ is conducting a sweeping review of the power and dominance of Big Tech, which will likely include Google, Facebook, Apple and Amazon. 

The Wall Street Journal reported the DOJ might explore different tech practices or legal theories than the FTC in its probe of Amazon and Facebook. Congress: 

The House of Representatives is conducting an investigation into Google, Facebook, Amazon and Apple, and results of the investigation may inform changes in antitrust laws that would make it easier to break up these companies.

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