Google’s $3.1 billion acquisition of DoubleClick has received approval from the Federal Trade Commission, in a 4-1 decision. The purchase stands to increase Google’s already powerful position in online advertising, according to an *Ad Week* [report](http://www.adweek.com/aw/national/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003687591).
While the European Commission still needs to provide their approval, and certain privacy groups have voiced concerns, the decision marks the clearance of a major obstacle for the merger.
According to *Ad Week*, “The FTC voted 4-1 to approve the merger, rejecting arguments from Google competitor Microsoft that the combination would constitute a choke hold on Internet advertising. Google dismissed these claims by noting that DoubleClick does not buy or sell Web advertising, rather it provides the technology for ad delivery and measurement.”
