Google Admits to FTC Probe

Yesterday, reports surfaced that the FTC is preparing to serve Google with civil subpoenas as part of a probe that will investigate whether the company has unfairly abused its position as the Web’s dominant search site. Today, Google took to its official blog to address the investigation—and took the opportunity to (repeatedly) tell its users how wonderful the company is. 

“We recognize that our success has led to greater scrutiny,” the company wrote. “We respect the FTC’s process and will be working with them (as we have with other agencies) over the coming months to answer questions about Google and our services.” There’s no mention of how the company has been refusing to offer up its top executives to testify in another government investigation.

The company also claims that it’s “still unclear exactly what the FTC’s concerns are,” and backs up its bewilderment by giving a long list of the ways that it works to give users the best search experience possible. Plus, Google wrote, “using Google is a choice—and there are lots of other choices available to you for getting information.”

Google, in other words, has taken the stance that it's unconcerned about the FTC investigation. “These are the principles that guide us, and we know they’ll stand up to scrutiny,” the company wrote. “We’re committed to giving you choices, ensuring that businesses can grow and create jobs, and, ultimately, fostering an Internet that benefits us all.”