Germany opens anti-cartel probe into Google Maps

The Google Maps Icon near their offices in the Google campus in Silicon Valley in June 2019. — Dreamstime/TNS

BERLIN: Germany’s anti-cartel watchdog said June 21 it has opened a probe into Google Maps over restrictions that may be giving it an unfair advantage over competitors.

“The proceeding is to examine possible anti-competitive restrictions imposed by Google Maps Platform to the detriment of alternative map services providers,” the Federal Cartel Office said in a statement.