Google billionaire co-founder Larry Page said that his company opposed a Microsoft-Yahoo deal because it would monopolize the online communications market, stifle innovation and curb competition, according to an Associated Press report.
He discounted the idea that an advertising deal between Google and Yahoo, one the two companies are now exploring, would present any potential antitrust problems.
Page spoke at a forum sponsored by the New American Foundation think tank about expanding affordable access to high-speed internet service and opening up cellular networks to more applications, services and devices.
Microsoft had sought to buy Yahoo as a way to counter Google's dominance in the search and advertising market, but recently broke of the talks.
'Now, if you put 90% of the communications all in one company "&brkbar; that's really a big risk, especially one (Microsoft) that has a history of doing bad stuff,' he said.
Court oversight of Microsoft's market power began in 2002 after an antitrust settlement was reached among Microsoft, the federal government and 17 states, barring the software maker from seeking deals with computer makers to exclude rival software.
Google and Yahoo are exploring a long-term alliance to show Google ads alongside Yahoo search results after a two-week trial last month showed Google's technology could help boost Yahoo's profits.