UPDATE 1-US Senate panel sets Sept 27 hearing on Google deal

Thu Sep 20, 2007 5:24pm EDT
 
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(Add Google executive testifying in paragraph 3)

WASHINGTON, Sept 20 (Reuters) - A U.S. Senate subcommittee will hold a hearing next week to look at Google Inc's (GOOG.O) $3.1 billion acquisition of Web advertising supplier Doubleclick Inc., the panel announced on Thursday.

Google's planned purchase of Doubleclick has raised antitrust concerns in the United States, where the Federal Trade Commission is scrutinizing the deal. The transaction is also being reviewed by the European Union and Australian authorities.

Testifying for Google will be David Drummond, the company's senior vice president and chief legal officer, a Google spokesman said.

Microsoft (MSFT.O) and other Google rivals, such as AT&T Inc (T.N), have urged antitrust officials to closely examine the deal, saying it could give Google too much control over online advertising.

The Senate Judiciary Committee's subcommittee on antitrust competition policy and consumer rights is scheduled to hold a hearing on Thursday, Sept. 27, to look at the deal's impact on competition and privacy.

 
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