OTTAWA (Reuters) – Canada’s antitrust watchdog said on Thursday it had obtained a court order to gather information and move forward with an ongoing investigation into Google’s online advertising services in the country.
In 2020, the Competition Bureau of Canada launched an investigation into whether Alphabet Inc.’s search engine giant had engaged in conduct that undermined competition in Canada’s online advertising industry.
The agency has now announced that it will expand its investigation to look into Google’s advertising technology services and whether the U.S.-based company engaged in predatory pricing.
The court order was granted by the Federal Court of Canada and requires Google to turn over records and information related to the agency’s investigation, the statement said.
A Google spokesperson said the company “continues to engage constructively with the Competition Bureau of Canada to demonstrate the benefits of our products to Canadian businesses and consumers.”
“Canadian businesses choose to use our advertising products because they are effective and reliable in helping them reach customers and grow,” a spokesperson said in an email.
(Reporting by Ismail Shakir in Ottawa; Editing by Andrea Ricci)
