The Office of Fair Trade is seeking comment on the acquisition of the smaller mapping technology company, the Financial Times reports. August 27, 2013 5:35 AM PDT Google Maps now includes Waze traffic reports. (Credit: Google) The UK Office of Fair Trade, a competition regulator, has begun seeking commentary on Google's acquisition of mapping app maker Waze, the Financial Times reported Tuesday. With the $966 million acquisition, Google got access to Waze technology that gathers data such as traffic trouble spots and accidents from drivers to help others navigate better. Google has begun integrating Waze data into Google Maps and has brought Google Maps' satellite imagery and Street View technology to the Waze app. The OFT's call for comment is the first sign of European regulatory scrutiny of the acquisition. In the United States, the Federal Trade Commission reportedly is scrutinizing Google's Waze acquisition. The UK office is seeking comment about whether Google's acquisition crosses thresholds -- 2 percent market share or 70 million pounds of revenue annually -- that could mean more serious investigation is warranted, the Financial Times said. CNET has contacted the Office of Fair Trade for comment and will update this story with its response. Related stories PlayStation 4 to arrive November 15 Google Maps adds Waze traffic reports Google reveals it spent $966 million in Waze acquisition Google deal for map app Waze attracts FTC antitrust review Google has tangled with competition regulators on several occasions in the past regarding acquisitions and its own search practices, but thus far has avoided major penalties. Mapping is a hot right now as technology giants such as Apple, Google, Microsoft, and Nokia seek to profit from navigation tasks in the mobile technology market.
The Office of Fair Trade is seeking comment on the acquisition of the smaller mapping technology company, the Financial Times reports.
Google Maps now includes Waze traffic reports.
(Credit: Google)
The UK Office of Fair Trade, a competition regulator, has begun seeking commentary on Google's acquisition of mapping app maker Waze, the Financial Times reported Tuesday.
With the $966 million acquisition, Google got access to Waze technology that gathers data such as traffic trouble spots and accidents from drivers to help others navigate better. Google has begun integrating Waze data into Google Maps and has brought Google Maps' satellite imagery and Street View technology to the Waze app.
The OFT's call for comment is the first sign of European regulatory scrutiny of the acquisition. In the United States, the Federal Trade Commission reportedly is scrutinizing Google's Waze acquisition.
The UK office is seeking comment about whether Google's acquisition crosses thresholds -- 2 percent market share or 70 million pounds of revenue annually -- that could mean more serious investigation is warranted, the Financial Times said.
CNET has contacted the Office of Fair Trade for comment and will update this story with its response.
Related stories
- PlayStation 4 to arrive November 15
- Google Maps adds Waze traffic reports
- Google reveals it spent $966 million in Waze acquisition
- Google deal for map app Waze attracts FTC antitrust review
Google has tangled with competition regulators on several occasions in the past regarding acquisitions and its own search practices, but thus far has avoided major penalties. Mapping is a hot right now as technology giants such as Apple, Google, Microsoft, and Nokia seek to profit from navigation tasks in the mobile technology market.
