Canada: Issued court order allowing Competition Bureau to expand investigation into Google's advertising practices

On 29 February 2024, the Competition Bureau of Canada obtained a court order to advance its ongoing investigation into Google's online advertising practices. The Bureau is examining whether Google has been leveraging its market power across display advertising technology services in a way that harms competition and whether it has been using predatory pricing in certain display advertising technology services. The investigation, which began in 2020, initially focused on allegations that Google was leveraging its market power in the supply of video advertising into the market for advertiser buying tools. The Bureau is now seeking to determine if Google's practices raise concerns under the restrictive trade practices provisions of the Competition Act, including the abuse of dominance provision. The Federal Court of Canada has ordered Google to produce records and written information relevant to the investigation.