Senator asks FTC to examine Google ads

-Source-Reuters- U.S. Senator Orrin Hatch on Thursday added to the growing push in Washington to have the Federal Trade Commission rekindle an antitrust investigation of Alphabet Incs Google. Hatch the Republican chairman of the Senate Finance Committee sent a letter to FTC Chairman Joseph Simons recounting several news reports that identified complaints about Googles anticompetitive conduct and privacy practices. Alphabet shares were little changed after the release of the letter. The company declined to comment. Lawmakers from both major parties and Googles rivals have said this year they see an opening for increased regulation of large technology companies under the FTCs new slate of commissioners. Googles critics say that ongoing European antitrust action against the web search leader and this years data privacy scandal involving Facebook Inc and political consulting firm Cambridge Analytica demonstrate their concerns about the unchecked power of the tech heavyweights. About 90 percent of search engine queries in the United States flow through Google. Facebook and Twitter executives are expected to testify before the Senate Intelligence Committee on Sept. 5 about their efforts to deter foreign campaigns from spreading misinformation online ahead Novembers midterm elections. Lawmakers have criticized Alphabet for not scheduling a top executive such as Chief Executive Larry Page for the hearings.