Report recommends FCC sue Google

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WASHINGTON, Oct. 13 (UPI) -- A Federal Trade Commission report will recommend the agency sue U.S. Internet giant Google for alleged antitrust practices, The New York Times said Saturday.

The unreleased report is in its final stages of preparation, the reported, citing sources it identified only as "two people briefed on the inquiry," who wished to remain anonymous.

The FCC has been conducting a probe of the company for about a year. The focus of the complaints is an allegation that Google steers searchers on the Internet to favor its own products and services.

Complaints say searches direct retail customers to Google Shopping and persons seeking restaurants and other businesses to Google Places. The Google service AdWords is also allegedly rigged to make it harder for other online advertising services to compete.

The European Commission has been involved in a prolonged investigation of Google. Texas, Ohio, New York, California, Oklahoma and Mississippi have also begun investigations into Google's practices.