FTC Subpoenas Apple in Google Antitrust Probe

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission has subpoenaed Apple as part of its antitrust inquiry into Google’s business practices, according to Bloomberg News. Sources close to the investigation tell the publication that the agency is particularly curious about the agreement that made Google the preferred search engine on the iPhone.

People familiar with the FTC’s antitrust probe of Google independently confirmed the agency’s subpoena of Apple to AllThingsD, adding that it has sent subpoenas to other device manufacturers, as well.

News that the FTC has subpoenaed Apple for the details of its mobile-search deal with Google isn’t at all surprising. But it does indicate the breadth of the agency’s probe, and perhaps its quickening as well.

Apple declined comment on the matter.