Senate Subcommittee Cautions FTC on Google-DoubleClick Acquisition

U.S. Senators are urging the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to look with a critical eye on Google’s planned acquisition of DoubleClick. According to ClickZ News, the heads of the Senate Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy, and Consumer Rights sent a letter yesterday to FTC Chairperson Deborah Platt Majoras urging her to examine the competition questions raised by the deal.

“While we have not reached any definitive conclusion regarding this issue, we urge that you only approve the merger if you determine that it will not cause any substantial lessening of competition with respect to Internet advertising,” the Senators wrote.

The deal is also being looked at by the European Commission, which has until April 2 to render a decision. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission approved the deal earlier this month.

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