Julie Clover
Google paid Apple $20 billion in 2022 to become the default search engine for Safari on iPhones, iPads and Macs, Bloomberg reports. The information was disclosed in court documents that Google provided as part of its antitrust dispute with the US Department of Justice.
The Department of Justice accused Google of having a search monopoly, and the lawsuit against Google focused on the search engine's deal with Apple. In November, the suit documents stated that Google pays 36 percent of the total revenue it receives from Safari searches, and now it is revealed that this amount is equal to $20 billion.
Google was the default search engine. on Apple devices since 2002, although the agreement has been revised several times. Apple and Google tried to keep the terms of the search engine agreement secret during and before the trial, but it was well known that Google was paying Apple billions a year.
Last October, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella said that the agreement between Apple and Google made it impossible for search engines like Bing to compete. At one point, Microsoft wanted Apple to buy Bing, but Apple wasn't interested. Microsoft blamed Google, but Apple's Eddie Cue said Apple was concerned that Bing wouldn't be able to compete on “quality and features.” Cue said Apple uses Google as the default search engine on iPhone because Apple has “always thought it was the best.”
Google is the default search engine on Apple devices in most countries, but users can choose to switch to Yahoo, Bing, DuckDuckGo and Ecosia as an alternative. To change the browser engine, you need to open Safari settings.
In Europe, the Digital Markets Act requires Apple to make changes to how browsers work. Users can choose a default browser when setting up their iPhone, and there are more options than the few providers Apple allows in the United States.
If Google loses the antitrust lawsuit against it, the deal between Apple and Google may be terminated. Closing arguments are expected Thursday and Friday, with the judge's decision expected later in 2024.
Tags: Google, Safari[ 169 comments ]
