UK launches inquiry to probe Google’s takeover of Looker Data Sciences

Britain’s competition watchdog said Tuesday it launched a formal inquiry into Google’s takeover of cloud data analytics company Looker Data Sciences, as it intensifies scrutiny of technology deals.

The Competition and Markets Authority said it had notified the two companies on Monday that it was opening an initial inquiry and would decide on February 13 whether to escalate it to a more in-depth investigation.

The authority said this month it was looking into whether the USD 2.6 billion acquisition would result in less competition in the UK market.

Google said in a statement that “the acquisition of Looker has received regulatory approval in the US and Austria and we continue to make progress with regulators in the UK.”