Google is accused of monopolizing online search by paying to be the default search engine on smartphones . The company Google reportedly paid Apple $18 billion in 2021 to encourage consumers to switch to Chrome due to Apple’s search technology upgrades…
Google has begun defending itself in a US antitrust complaint. The US Justice Department claims that Google monopolized online search by paying to be the default search engine on browsers and phones. Before Google’s trial defense, claims surfaced that the internet giant paid Apple billions to keep Google as Apple’s default search engine.
Apple got billions from Google
Google reportedly paid Apple $10 billion to $20 billion to make Google the default search engine on Apple’s Safari browser during the trial. Recent reports say Google paid Apple $18 billion in 2021.
Google’s concerns and response
The report underlines Google’s concerns about Apple’s search technology improvements. Spotlight on iPhones now offers better web search results like Google’s. Apparently, Google tried to compete with Spotlight by creating an iPhone version. Google also wanted more iPhone users to move from Safari to Chrome.
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella also commented, but from a different standpoint. A media report focused on Google’s concerns about Apple’s search technology advances, but Nadella’s comments suggested that Apple was anxious that Google may use Gmail to convince consumers to use Chrome.
Nadella said Microsoft wanted to be Apple’s default browser but was financially constrained. He suggested Microsoft would pay $15 billion to become Apple’s default search engine.
Even though Google’s search engine is pre-set on certain devices, Google says users can modify it.
Conclusion
Google faces a US antitrust lawsuit for allegedly monopolizing online search by paying to be the default search engine on browsers and phones. Google reportedly paid Apple billions to stay the default search engine for Apple devices. At trial, Google was alleged to have paid Apple $10 billion to $20 billion to make Google Safari’s default search engine. Recent reports say Google paid Apple $18 billion in 2021. Google created its own iPhone search app and encouraged users to switch to Chrome due to its concerns about Apple’s search technology.
