The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) is investigating whether Google’s acquisition of AI technology from Character.AI, a chatbot manufacturer, violates antitrust laws. Sources reveal that the DOJ is examining the terms of the agreement and whether it has been designed to circumvent standard merger review processes. In this deal, which was finalized last year, the founders of Character.AI joined Google, gaining access to their resources. While a Google spokesperson confirmed they are prepared to respond to regulatory inquiries, they emphasize that they do not hold equity in the company and remain independent. Despite the lack of formal review requirements at present, the DOJ retains the authority to investigate potential anti-competitive behavior. The investigation is still early-stage and hasn’t led to any allegations against Google, and its outcome remains unclear.