WASHINGTON — Google executive chairman Eric Schmidt sparred with senators Wednesday during a hearing that repeatedly cast the Internet-search leader as a greedy monopolist more driven to expand its empire than to steer Web surfers to the most helpful information.
Schmidt, Google’s chief emissary to the government, was put uncomfortably on the defensive as he trumpeted the company as a font of knowledge, innovation and economic opportunity during a 90- minute appearance before a Senate antitrust panel.
“Google does nothing to block access to any of the competitors and other sources of information” in Web searches, Schmidt testified.
He acknowledged that Google is “in that area” of being a monopoly company but said it’s up to the courts to determine the question. The company recognizes that it has a special responsibility because of its market power, he added.
The political theater unfolded against the backdrop of a Federal Trade Commission investigation that threatens to handcuff Google as it tries to diversify beyond Internet searches. Just last month, Mountain View, Calif.-based Google announced by far the biggest acquisition in its 13-year history — a proposed $12.5 billion deal to buy cellphone maker Motorola Mobility.
The FTC’s probe, triggered by rising complaints about perceived bias in the way Google ranks other websites, also is forcing the company to defend its pledge to make the world a better place. Google underscored that commitment by embracing “don’t be evil” as its corporate motto.
