The settlement means that potential roadblocks to the states’ probe may be cleared for now, allowing the attorneys general to continue digging into Google’s business.
Google had filed a motion in October asking Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton not to share confidential business information with outside consultants, citing concerns with two people hired to help with the probe based on past work for competitors.
The settlement, which is pending in a Texas court, would allow the consultants to continue to advise the states’ investigation but also impose certain confidentiality restrictions on them, a source told CNBC.
“We’re pleased that the AG has agreed to restrictions about how it handles our confidential business information. But we remain concerned with the irregular way this investigation is proceeding, including unusual arrangements with advisers who work for our rivals and vocal critics,” a Google spokesperson said in a statement.
The Texas attorney general’s office did not immediately return a request for comment.
Google had contested two consultants hired by Paxton’s office, which is leading the probe into Google’s digital advertising business backed by 49 other attorneys general from U.S. states and territories.
“We’re pleased that the AG has agreed to restrictions about how it handles our confidential business information. But we remain concerned with the irregular way this investigation is proceeding, including unusual arrangements with advisers who work for our rivals and vocal critics,” a Google spokesperson said in a statement.
The Texas attorney general’s office did not immediately return a request for comment.
Google had contested two consultants hired by Paxton’s office, which is leading the probe into Google’s digital advertising business backed by 49 other attorneys general from U.S. states and territories.
Google complained of Cristina Caffarra’s past work for Russian search company Yandex, Microsoft and News Corp, which is a frequent critic of the company. The company also contested Eugene Burrus, who previously worked as assistant general counsel at Microsoft and represented clients in antitrust cases against Google.
Paxton told CNBC earlier this month that Google’s actions were “pushing us towards a fight.”
“We don’t necessarily want one. But we won’t back off if they’re not going to cooperate,” he said. Paxton also expressed concern over letting the investigation “drag out.”
“We don’t want the technology to pass us by so that by the time we get to any kind of resolution, it doesn’t matter,” he said at the time.
CNBC
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