FTC Said to Prepare Antitrust Review of Apple Tactics in Mobile Ad Market

Apparently, the Federal Trade Commission is preparing to review allegations that Apple is engaging in anti-competitive tactics to restrict rivals in the mobile- advertising market.

The FTC and Justice Department have been discussing which agency should conduct the investigation. Regulators decided earlier this week that the FTC would proceed. Regulators want to know whether moves by Apple will result in less competition in the growing market for ads on handheld computers and phones. Spending on mobile ads in the U.S. is expected to rise to almost $500 million this year from $220 million in 2009, according to IDC.