Apple seeks to defend $20 billion Google search deal in antitrust case
Apple has expressed its wish to be included in the landmark antitrust trial against Google, seeking to defend its lucrative search revenue-sharing agreements. The agreements, which make Google the default search engine on Apple’s Safari browser, generated an estimated $20 billion for Apple in 2022 alone.
In court documents filed Monday in Washington, Apple argued that it cannot rely on Google to adequately represent its interests, particularly as the trial’s focus shifts to potential remedies that could include breaking up Google’s business units. The trial, led by the US Department of Justice (DOJ), aims to address Google’s alleged monopoly in online search.
Apple has requested to call witnesses and participate actively in the trial, scheduled for April.
Prosecutors allege that Google’s multibillion-dollar default search agreements with browser developers, device manufacturers, and carriers have stifled competition in online search.
No intention of getting into the search business
Apple’s legal team emphasized that the company has no plans to develop its own search engine, regardless of whether the revenue-sharing agreements continue. Still, the tech giant contends that its partnership with Google is a matter of mutual benefit and does not contribute to anticompetitive practices.
Google’s response
On its end, Google has proposed easing its default search agreements to address growing scrutiny but has not suggested ending its revenue-sharing deals with Apple. The company is also pushing back against the proposed remedies that could force it to sell its Chrome browser or Android operating system – measures the DOJ argues are necessary to restore competition.
Antitrust scrutiny
This case follows a significant ruling in August 2024, when a US judge determined that Google violated antitrust laws by creating an illegal monopoly through its default search deals. The ruling marked a major victory for federal authorities and set the stage for the upcoming trial to decide on remedies.
The lawsuit against Google is part of a broader wave of legal actions targeting Big Tech companies, including Meta Platforms, Amazon, and Apple itself. Initially filed during the Trump administration, these cases have set a precedent for reexamining monopolistic practices in the technology sector.
As the trial approaches, the stakes remain high for both Google and Apple, with billions of dollars and the future of online search at play.
