The move that Google has made to acquire AdMob has been met with serious disapproval from the consumer group known as the Center for Digital Democracy (or CDD). So much so that they are lobbying the FTC to block Google from acquiring of the mobile ad network.
“Consumers will face higher prices, less innovation and fewer choices. The FTC should conduct the appropriate investigation, block the proposed Google/AdMob deal, and also address the privacy issues.”
The CDD sees the $750 million acquisition as an anti-competitive move on Google’s part. They are also concerned with the vast amount of data Google will have access to with AdMob, and the unfair edge it may give them. Using smartphones as an example the CDD stated that “data about competing smartphone users and applications, gathered through the Google/AdMob advertising network, could give Google information about its competitors that would be advantageous in marketing.”
The argument holds water but does it merit FTC involvement? As Google moves into the smartphone market more and more, new regulations may not be such a bad idea.
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