Germany's competition regulator is looking into possible abuses related to how Google operates its Maps product.

It's the latest proceeding the Federal Cartel Office (FCO) has opened against Google -- with earlier (ongoing) investigations into the tech giant's News Showcase licensing practices and its data terms. However the Maps proceeding is the first initiated under tougher abuse controls which have applied to Google's business in Germany since January -- when the regulator determined it meets the threshold for an ex ante competition law reform that's targeted at digital giants with "paramount significance for competition across markets".

The determination lowers the bar for regulatory intervention to address potential competition concerns. So, in practice, it means Google may face more FCO proceedings -- which are opened and could be concluded more swiftly -- than if the special abuse controls did not apply.

Commenting in a statement on the Google Maps proceeding, Andreas Mundt, president of the FCO, said: "We have information to suggest that Google may be restricting the combination of its own map services with third-party map services, for example when it comes to embedding Google Maps location data, the search function or Google Street View into maps not provided by Google.

"Among other aspects, we will now examine whether this practice could allow Google to further expand its position of power regarding certain map services. We will also look into the licensing terms and conditions for the use of Google’s map services in vehicles."

The FCO added that it will be interviewing customers and competitors of the Google Maps Platform as part of the investigation.

Google was contacted for comment. A spokesperson for the company told us: