German antitrust body launches investigation into Google Maps
Germany's Cartel Office has said Google Maps services could be shutting out competitors. Issues include embedding Google Maps data into other map services.
Germany's Federal Cartel Office on Tuesday opened an investigation into Google Germany and its US parent company, Alphabet, over "possible anti-competitive restrictions" of Google Maps to the detriment of other online maps providers, according to a statement.
Cartel Office President Andreas Mundt said the agency had information to suggest that Google was "restricting the combination of its own map services with third-party map services."
Examples include issues with embedding Google Maps location data, search functions or Google Street View into other map services.
The Google Maps platform offers the integration of its maps into websites and apps. The Cartel Office also said it intended to review the licensing conditions for the integration of Google Maps into the infotainment systems of cars.
As part of the investigation, customers and competitors of the Google Maps platform "will be interviewed in the coming weeks," the agency said.
