Doubt anyone is surprised by this
All those millions Google spends in lobbying and campaign donations aren't for nothing. The interesting question is whether Google's special access continues once a republican administration arrives (whether that's next year or 2021)
Given republican distrust of Silicon Valley values, those in the FTC who pushed for an investigation may find a sympathetic ear, and oil and coal companies would be enjoying a return to the hands off approach of the Bush administration.
This problem is larger than Google, it is that certain companies/industries see very different regulation depending on whether they are in or out of favor with the party in charge of the White House. That's what lawmakers really should fix, but congress is hip deep in lobbyist money and the revolving door so that's not likely to happen.
Biting the hand that feeds IT
