The US DOJ has renewed its focus on Google Maps, adding to its already-sprawling antitrust investigation into the company, Politico and Bloomberg reported on Wednesday.
The Justice department is said to be focusing on whether Google illegally bundles its mapping and search products by making app developers use them together, according to Bloomberg. Forcing companies to use one product in order to gain access to a more popular one, known as bundling, can violate antitrust law.
Read more: Google Looks To Move DOJ AdTech Case To New York
Google responded that the restrictions ensure a good user experience, and that some third parties from which it licenses map data restrict how it is used.Reuters reported in March last year that the Department was looking into Google Maps bundling. But the probe has appeared to pick up speed as Politico and Bloomberg reported the DOJ has been re-interviewing potential witnesses, including competitors and customers, in recent weeks.
Rivals have complained the restrictions could impair innovation in a number of emerging fields, such as drones, delivery and logistics, as well as electric and autonomous vehicles.
