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Lawmaker Seeks Federal Probe Of Mountain View-Based Google

BOSTON (CBS/AP) -- Massachusetts U.S. Rep. Ed Markey wants the Federal Trade Commission to investigate changes in Google's terms of service that will allow the Internet search giant to use a user's name, photo and product reviews in ads that it sells to businesses.

Google is changing its terms of service starting Nov. 11 for those who do not explicitly opt out. A user's reviews of restaurants, shops and products, as well as songs and other content bought on the Google Play store could show up in ads that are displayed to their friends and connections when they search on Google.

Markey wrote a letter on Saturday, asking FTC Chairwoman Edith Ramirez to investigate whether these changes violate Google's settlement with the commission over previous privacy violations.

Markey is co-chairman of a House caucus that examines privacy issues.

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