Google could be target of FTC antitrust probe

Before deciding whether to launch such an investigation, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) of the United States is waiting for the Justice Department to decide whether it will challenge Googles planned $700 million purchase ITA Software Inc, an airline ticketing software company. Googles dominance in search is inviting heightened regulatory scrutiny around the world as it has been under investigation by the European Commission since last November.Last week rival Microsoft Corp filed a formal complaint with European antitrust regulators, claiming that Google systematically thwarts Internet search competition.