50 attorneys general launch antitrust probe into Google

WASHINGTON D.C. — Nearly every U.S. state is jumping in on a new antitrust probe targeting search giant Google.

The Associated Press reports that the attorney generals of 50 states and territories, including the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, have announced an investigation into Google's "potentially monopolistic behavior."

California, where the company is based, and Alabama, are not participating.

The probe will focus on the tech giant's dominance in advertising and search. According to eMarketer, Google holds more than 37% of the digital advertising market in the U.S., and 75% of the search advertising market.

But the attorneys general have also hinted that the investigation could extend to other businesses and services owned by Google's parent company Alphabet, such as Youtube or the Android operating system.

CNN Business reports that on Monday, states sent Google a civil investigative demand or CID, which is a compulsory request for information.

South Dakota Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg told the news outlet that the document contains many questions and is dozens of pages long.

The multi-state investigation is the second to be announced in a week, after eight states and the District of Columbia said they've started a probe into Facebook.